ILOILO – Two houses in Barangay Bagumbayan, Santa Barbara were locked down. The mentally-challenged man who was shot dead by the police on Monday night tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Bagumbayan’s village chief Alex Sencil said the lockdown of Joel Simpao’s house and that of his parents was effective June 8. All people residing in these houses were not allowed to go out pending the recommendation of the Rural Health Unit.
The 41-year-old Simpao who was suffering from nervous breakdown died at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City due to a gunshot wound. He refused to surrender his bolo and knife during a police negotiation on Monday.
On Tuesday night, Simpao’s sister Joan confirmed she received a call from the hospital that her brother was COVID-19 positive.
Joan and their family were shocked. They claimed Simpao had been living alone and did not mingle with anyone.
“Isa lang sia sa iya balay pero malapit man sa amon kag sobra na isa ka bulan nga wala nagalagaw, wala nagatambay kag wala naga-estorya sa neighbors namon. Gusto nya mag-isahanon,” she added.
Jacinto, Joel’s father, also recounted his son’s activities.
“Nagapangahoy ran sa suba kag pag–abot sa balay na mang–utod ka mga kahoy. Sobra isa ka bulan nga waay kami ka parapit kana asta natabu kang Lunes,” he said.
The body of Simpao has already been cremated.
COPS ON QUARANTINE
Meanwhile, 13 police personnel (including municipal police chief, Major Raymund Celoso) who responded were placed on strict quarantine. Seven were from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and six from the municipal police station.
These policemen helped transport Simpao to the ambulance.
Simpao was shot after he tried to attack Celoso.
Meantime, Celoso said he was waiting for a copy of Simpao’s swab test result.
Simpao suffered depression and nervous breakdown after he reportedly failed to pass the Philippine National Police (PNP) examination here.
Days before the incident, he refused to take his maintenance medicine, his family disclosed./PN
