DILG directs police to assist DOH in tracing passengers of plane which had two coronavirus patients

February 5, 2020

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said they directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist the Department of Health (DOH) in tracing passengers who also took the same flights with the two persons who tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV). 

In a statement, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said Secretary Eduardo Año has directed PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa to secure the flight manifest from the airlines, begin looking into the whereabouts of these individuals and report  to health authorities. 

“Secretary Año has assured the DOH of the DILG’s full cooperation and support in conducting the contact tracing,” Malaya said.

Malaya said Gamboa has directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to deploy tracker teams.

“The CIDG will be under the supervision of Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar.  All PNP units nationwide will also be tapped by the CIDG as may be necessary,” he said.

In a separate statement last Tuesday night, PNP reiterated they are ready to assist the Department of Health (DOH) in contact tracing and other lateral implementation of public health measures. 

“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 health authorities who are really doing a good job in responding to the nCoV health emergency,” said Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson.

Banac also urged the public to avoid spreading fake news as it creates panic and confusion.

“PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa urges the public to avoid disinformation and spreading of fake news which tend to create panic and confusion,”

“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,” he added.

Last week, the DOH reported the first confirmed case of the 2019-nCoV in the country in a 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan, China. It announced the second confirmed case and the first mortality outside China in the 44-year-old Chinese male partner of the female.

The couple arrived in the Philippines from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong last January 21, 2020, and sought consultation at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila last January 25, 2020 after both manifesting symptoms of the disease. 

However, before going to Manila, the Chinese couple also went to Cebu and Dumaguete City.

Negros Oriental are monitoring and investigating around 30 people who had contact with the two virus infected foreigners. Ella Dionisio/DMS