PNP ready to help DOH transport suspected coronavirus patients to hospital

January 31, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said they will help the Department of Health (DOH) in transporting patients suspected with the 2019 NCov virus once guidelines are issued.

In an interview with reporters at Quezon City, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said their actions will depend on the DOH.

He added a Cabinet cluster meeting is scheduled to thresh out action plans of the government.

“So from there whatever is their decision, the PNP would always abide. But basically, we will help in transporting affected patients on quarantine but we have to follow certain procedures and protocols,” Gamboa said.

“We are taking cue from DOH because they are the one who has expertise on how the PNP will move. We also have to take inconsideration the protection of PNP. So we always take it from DOH on what is their guideline,” he said.

Gamboa said they have the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives (CBRNE) unit can help in this situation.

“This is our unit specialized in chemical warfare but we can use them because they are also protected. So they will not be infected when they take action,” he said.

The PNP chief said they have enough equipment to protect all their personnel who transport suspected patients.

“To protect the PNP (personnel) who’s going to implement the quarantine, they are protected. They have the equipment... As a matter of fact, everyone is encouraged to wear face mask. We still have a lot of (N95 supply) from Taal Volcano (operations),” he said.

On the current panic buying of masks after the announcement of first NCov patient in the country, Gamboa said he will give specific directives to police officers how to deal with this.

Meanwhile, the PNP- Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in a separate interview said they are implementing security measures to prevent the virus from infecting members of their unit as some detainees are Chinese suspects.

“To prevent spread of NCov virus, all who will enter- Filipino or foreigner- will go to our scanner which can determine if one has flu. If you have, we will bring you to PNP Hospital. If you don’t have, you will undergo sanitization,” AKG spokesperson Police Major Rannie Lumactod said.

Lumactod said they have a lot of foreign visitors.

“This practice implemented by our director is to prevent the spreading of virus since here in AKG we have nine Chinese national (detained) and five Filipino. What we what to prevent it the foreigners who are entering so we are determining when they enter the country, from what country they came from and when is the duration of their stay here so that we will know if they just arrived or not,” he said.

“We are just being careful since the Anti-Kidnapping Group is dealing with foreigners, particularly Chinese,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS