After the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines, the Philippine National Police has been placed on high readiness mode to help the Department of Health address the situation by monitoring the major entry points in the country for possible detection of infected persons.
Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, urged the public to remain calm, composed, and informed as he assured them that the national government remains on top of the situation.
“Our local police units are on high readiness mode, awaiting notice if needed by DoH to track down persons that may have recklessly circumvented quarantine protocol imposed by authorities,” Banac said.
According to Banac, the PNP Maritime Group and Aviation Security Group have been placed on standby by Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP chief, to enable them to be mobilized instantly if there is a need for police assistance in seaports or airports as the monitoring of those places are deemed necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.
The PNP Health Service has established a direct hotline of communication with the DoH for lateral implementation of public health measures, Banac added.
“We assure the public that the PNP remains alert and vigilant to ensure public order and safety, and prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the situation,” the PNP spokesperson noted.
The monitoring of possible infected persons is crucial as authorities have been tracing individuals that came in contact with the 38-year-old female Chinese from Wuhan, China who is the first confirmed case of the nCoV infection in the Philippines.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said she arrived in the Philippines last Jan. 21 via commercial flight and reportedly went to Cebu and Dumaguete City. The patient has since been admitted at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila where she was being monitored. (Martin Sadongdong)