NBI rescues health workers illegally detained in QC condo

MANILA, Philippines — Charges have been filed against the administrative and security officials of a condominium in Quezon City who reportedly refused to let two health care workers and a third individual leave their unit for eight days although they had tested negative for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The three tenants of Victoria Towers were illegally detained inside their house and had to be rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, according to Kristine dela Cruz, executive officer of the bureau’s Special Action Unit.

Dela Cruz said that administrators of the condomonium had required the three to secure a barangay clearance first even though they had been cleared by the city government and declared fit to work.

Barangay Paligsahan chair Cecilia Tiamson clarified that it was the city government’s infectious control consultants who issue health clearances, not the barangay as their role was to monitor and help positive and suspected COVID-19 patients.