Naga warns legal action vs netizens sharing names in COVID-19 contact tracing

GUINOBATAN, Albay — Anyone found to be sharing names of individuals being watched after having contact with a person who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will face fines or jail time, Naga City officials in Camarines Sur warned Saturday.

“Sharing names of individuals in connection with investigations and contract tracing is a clear violation of Republic Act No. 11332 and the Data Privacy Act,” according to the city’s official social media account.

RA 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, states that those who disclose private and confidential information pertaining to a patient’s medical condition or treatment will be fined P20,000 to P50,000 or will face jail time of one to six months.

“Screenshots of shares can be used as evidence and you will be charged,” Naga City warned.

Names of those being watched for COVID-19 symptoms have circulated through Messenger after rumors were passed on that Mulatto frontman Joey Bautista, whose wife said he died due to the pandemic on Thursday (March 19), attended a party in Legazpi City in Albay on March 11.

Belinda Bagatsing, Bautista’s wife, said through a post on social media the frontman did not perform in Legazpi City.

Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion pleaded to 16 city residents who served as caterers during the Legazpi City event to self-quarantine.

“I am begging the 16, and those who were with them after the concert, to self-quarantine. Please do not leave your homes,” Legacion said. “Our health officials will contact you, go to your place to examine you if necessary, give you instructions, and monitor you.”

Edited by JPV