MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas did not undergo the usual screening being done by the Oriental Mindoro’s health office when he visited the province on Thursday — the day he was informed that he tested positive for COVID-19 — the provincial government has clarified.
According to the statement from the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro on Friday, Sinas did not pass through the pier of the province in Calapan City, where health clearances are being made. He arrived instead by helicopter before proceeding to the PNP Regional Headquarters.
The provincial government also clarified that Provincial Administrator Hubbert Christopher Dolor’s presence at the PNP Mimaropa headquarters was not to welcome Sinas but to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and intensified contact tracing efforts.
“Para po sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang presensya po ni Provincial Administrator Hubbert Christopher Dolor sa PNP Mimaropa Regional Headquarters kahapon ay hindi upang salubungin si PNP Chief PGen. Debold Sinas,” a statement posted on Facebook read.
(For everyone’s information, Provincial Administrator Hubbert Christopher Dolor was present at the PNP Mimaropa Regional Headquarters yesterday not to welcome PNP Chief PGen. Debold Sinas.)
“Si PGen. Debold Sinas ay hindi dumaan sa pier ng Calapan at hindi siya kabilang sa mga na-profile ng mga kawani ng PGOM. Siya ay dumating sa lalawigan lulan ng helicopter at dumiretso sa Regional Headquarters,” it added.
(PGen. Debold Sinas did not go through the pier of Calapan and was not among those profiled by the provincial government employees. He arrived at the province aboard a helicopter and proceeded to the Regional Headquarters.)
However, the provincial government assured the public that Dolor and other officials of the provincial health office were observing health measures when Sinas was there.
Previously, reports said that Sinas was in Mindoro when he was informed about his positive COVID-19 test. The information was then revealed by PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana on Thursday, saying that the police chief is still asymptomatic.
“Ikinalulungkot ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang pangyayaring ito. Subalit, tiniyak ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan na sa panahong si PA MD Dolor at ang iba pang mga kawani ng PHO ay nasa kampo, siniguro nilang na-observe ang minimum health protocols,” the province assured the public.
(The provincial government is saddened by this incident, However, the provincial government was assured that during the time PA MD Dolor and other employees were in the camp, they observed minimum health protocols.)
READ: PNP chief Sinas tests positive for COVID-19
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Gen. Debold Sinas and Provincial Health Office OIC Hubert Dolor fist bump at the PNP Mimaropa Regional Headquarters in Calapan City.