PNP reminds hospitals to report gun-related injuries

The recent violation of the doctors of Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla has prompted the Philippine National Police to remind public and private hospitals to report to government health authorities all cases of gun-related injuries.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias said the PNP made representations with the Department of Health to constantly remind administrators of medical facilities and medical practitioners regarding the specific provisions of Executive Order No. 212 requiring them to report any medical case involving physical injuries inflicted with use of gun.

On Tuesday, the PNP announced that three attending physicians of Revilla at Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City were administratively charged in the Professional Regulation Commission on May 5 for failing to report the shooting.

Doctors Edgar Mendiola, Gracita Ybiernas and Eden Lasala failed to inform local health authorities about the hospital admission of Revilla, who suffered a gunshot wound in the chest, supposedly from a government-issued Glock 27 .40-cal. pistol, on Feb. 28.

Tobias cited Section 1 of the order which said: “The attending physician of any hospital, medical clinic, sanitarium or other medical establishments, or any other medical practitioner, who has treated any person for serious or less serious physical injuries as these injuries are defined in Articles 262, 263, 264 and 265 of the Revised Penal Code, shall report the fact of such treatment promptly to the nearest government health authority: Provided, that no fee shall be charged for the transmission of such report through government communication facilities: Provided, further, that records of the reports kept by said health authorities shall, upon written request, be made available to law enforcement agencies.”

On Wednesday, PRC legal and investigation division chief Eugene Riego said Mendiola, Ybiernas and Lasala had been verified to be licensed doctors.

Official summons from PRC were sent to them on Wednesday through registered mail.

The doctors are given 15 days upon receipt of the mail to respond to the summons. The PRC legal division will then hold a pretrial conference while the board of medicine will convene to discuss the case.