Jail officer who died of heart attack after Traslacion was drunk

A 51-year-old jail officer who reportedly died of a heart attack early Wednesday morning after attending the annual Traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo was under the influence of alcohol and had failed to take his maintenance medicine for hypertension, , an official from the Manila city government clarified.

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Senior Jail Officer 4 Ramil dela Cruz died after attending the hours-long procession, according to Johnny Yu, chief of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).

Yu was among the personnel who gave Dela Cruz first aid treatment.

According to Yu, Dela Cruz went to the house of his friend on Hidalgo Street at around 12:30 a.m., after joining the procession.

Dela Cruz complained of pain in the chest and stomach. He was immediately taken to a nearby first aid station.

Yu said that Dela Cruz and his companion admitted they were drunk.

The jail officer also said he had failed to take his maintenance medicine for hypertension pressure for two days.

Yu said the medical officer advised that Dela Cruz be taken to the hospital right away.

At that time, De la Cruz asked his companion to get his motorcycle so he could go home.

Yu said they had tried to dissuade him from leaving. But Dela Cruz persisted and even refused to sign a waiver indicating he had refused treatment from the station.

Moments later, the victim had a seizure, prompting medical officers to rush him to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC)

The MDRRMO chief said they were able to revive the unconscious victim while on their way to the hospital and turned him over to the JRMMC alive at around 2 a.m.

However, a spot report from the Manila Police District indicated that Dela Cruz was declared dead on arrival.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penoloigy (BJMP) has expressed condolences to its former officer.

“It is with deepest regret that one of our former colleagues, SJO4 Ramil Dela Cruz died after a heart attack reportedly during the Traslacion,” the BJMP said in a statment.

“Hence, we wish to comfort the family in one of the most trying times of their lives,” it added.

The BJMP clarified that Dela Cruz was no longer with the agency months before he died due to his absences without leave (AWOL).

He was dropped from the BJMP rolls on Aug. 31, 2017 and was last assigned at the Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Yu advised devotees who wish to attend future processions not to drink alcohol and make sure they are in good health. They should also always follow the authorities’ advice.

The MPD have repeatedly discouraged devotees from drinking when attending the procession. /atm