One of nine cops involved in Jolo shooting positive for COVID-19

July 6, 2020

One of the nine cops involved in the Jolo shooting incident tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Philippine National Police chief  General Archie Francisco Gamboa.

In a press briefing, Gamboa said he was supposed to bring the nine cops to the national headquarters in Camp Crame but one of them tested positive  for the virus.

“So I am now putting the responsibility to the regional director of the BAR (Bangsamoro Region), Brigadier General Manuel Abu to bring the policemen anytime this week to Camp Crame,” he said.

The nine cops involved in the death of four Army personnel last week are now under the custody of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police office.

Gamboa said the nine cops underwent rapid testing as it is one of the health protocols when meeting President Rodrigo Duterte and other higher government officials.

“We did not bring him because we will all be riding C-130, together with SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año and) NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” he added.

Gamboa said the Philippine Air Force's advised not to bring the nine cops as one of them is infected.

He ordered Abu to conduct RT-PCR testing to the cop for him to be treated if he will be tested positive. If he tests negative, the policemen will be immediately brought to Manila.

Gamboa said Duterte was able to talk to the nine cops and told them that anyone who will be found guilty will ace the consequences.

“He emphasized that there should be accountability,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS