MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is planning to conduct mandatory COVID-19 testing for chiefs of police and their “immediate deputies” as contact tracing is more difficult if the police chiefs will also contract the disease.
“We are now devising a plan na sa lahat ng chiefs of police at immediate deputies nila ay ma-swab para malaman natin kung kayong station commanders o chief of police ay negative ba sa coronavirus,” Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said during a speech at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Headquarters at Camp Karingal on Tuesday.
(We are now devising a plan that all chiefs of police and their immediate deputies will undertake swab tests to determine if their station commanders or chief of police are negative for coronavirus.)
“Kapag PNCO (police non-commissioned officers) madaling ma-trace, ‘yung team lang niya, yung kagrupo niya at kasama niya sa pagpatrolya so very limited but officers, these are point of concern. Lalo na pataas nang pataas ang ranggo natin. Doon marami kang nahalubilo, maraming inatendahang meeting, that’s why we are very concerned diyan,” he added.
(For PNCOs, it is easier to trace his team, group and his patrolling group so very limited, but officers, these are point of concern. Especially, our ranks are increasing. There are many interactions with many people, a lot of meetings to attend, that’s why we are very concerned.)
Sinas announced this after giving updates on the three-day lockdown placed under Camp Karingal which was implemented to isolate 13 police personnel from QCPD who were diagnosed with the coronavirus disease.
The lockdown at QCPD Headquarters began on May 9 at 5 p.m. and is expected to end later at 5 p.m.
In an ambush interview with reporters, Sinas said the 13 infected police personnel have no symptoms and are staying at a quarantine facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Sinas added that they already identified 73 direct contacts of the positive police officers, who will soon undergo swab tests.
“Seventy-three ‘yung may direct contact nung mga nagpositive. Sana yung ‘di pa lumabas ang result ay magnegative. Huwag sana madagdagan,” he said.
(There are 73 direct contacts of those who tested positive. I hope those with pending results would turn negative. I hope there will be no additional positive cases.)