ILOILO – A police officer in Anilao town is in trouble. He violated quarantine protocols.
With the rank of Police Corporal, he underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on Aug. 15 and was found positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
But before his test result was released on Aug. 20 he was spotted roaming around.
According to Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, an investigation has been launched.
In the morning of Aug. 18, according Malong (citing statements from the cop’s family), the policeman went to a friend in the municipality of Maasin.
The cop was also seen joining a drinking spree in Barangay Daja, Maasin.
On Aug. 20 after Dr. Karen Anne Gonzales, municipal health officer of Anilao, announced the cop’s RT-PCR test result, Barangay Captain Noel Camacho ordered a lockdown of the policeman’s residence.
The policeman has since been transferred to the quarantine facility of the Anilao municipal government.
“His leaving the house prior to the release of his test result was a clear violation of protocols. The memorandum from the national police headquarters is very clear – avoid going out if the test result has not yet been released,” Malong said.
Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, regional police director, said the investigation would determine the proper charges to be filed against the police officer.
“How could we command obedience from the public if our own personnel violate health protocols? The PRO-6 recognizes the vulnerability of its personnel to COVID-19 as frontliners. This is why we always remind them to follow health safety protocols – to keep themselves and the people surrounding them safe,” said Pamuspusan./PN
