MANILA, Philippines — At least 21 detainees have been put in isolation while waiting for their swab results for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) revealed Monday.
“Meron po tayong mga binabantayan na PDL (persons deprived of liberty) natin. Meron po tayong 21 na nasa isolation. Napa-swab na po natin sila, inaantay na lang po natin ang resulta,” BJMP spokesman Xavier Solda said in a virtual Laging Handa public briefing.
For now, Solda assured that BJMP facilities remain COVID-19 free, citing proactive measures it has enforced to prevent the entry of the infectious respiratory disease in Philippine jails.
Solda likewise announced that BJMP personnel nationwide will be donating a part of their salaries to the government’s fight against COVID-19.
The donation of all BJMP employees, according to Solda, will total to about P7.23 million.
As of Sunday afternoon, the Philippines reported 4,648 confirmed cases of the disease, with 297 deaths and 197 patients who recovered.