PNP chief says no cop has died from COVID-19 since April

May 29, 2020

Despite the increasing number of cops infected of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said there have been no fatalities since April.

In his virtual presser, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said 302 cops were tested positive for the virus where 149 recovered.

“Almost half or 49.33 percent of the total of 302 confirmed PNP cases have recovered so far while no recent deaths have been added to the four recorded cases of PNP fatalities since April,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said 60 percent of the total infected cops are from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“There is high infection in NCR because of the degree of exposure of the policemen in QCPs (quarantine control points),” he said.

Gamboa added that NCRPO is also conducting extensive testing that’s why a lot of positive patients come from their ranks.

“Majority of infected came from QCP so really on our part, there’s a need to improve our protection... we must protect our policemen by distributing PPEs (personal protective equipment), rotation, provision of vitamins and medical checkup,” he said.

Gamboa said having COVID-19 testing facilities in Visayas and Mindanao is difficult for now due to lack of budget.

If the PNP decides to build a testing facility, they will place it near Davao and Cebu City since there are many COVID-19 cases there.

Gamboa said they strive to continue giving supportive healthcare measures to enhance the resiliency of the police frontliners.

He also thanked not only the PNP frontliners but also the public for what had occurred in the past 72 days.

Gamboa  encouraged PNP frontliners to continue or if they can improve on some specific things for a better transition as Metro Manila and some other areas in Luzon are set to shift to general community quarantine (GCQ) by June 1.

“Our health and our economy cannot afford a second wave and second debilitating lockdown and thus we will enforce the new normal law in the strictest means possible to save lives particularly that of our children and the elderly,” he said.

“Our safety also depends on the discipline and love for life and country during the new normal and while we are waiting for a vaccine that will cure the deadly pandemic,” Gamboa added. Ella Dionisio/DMS