Bohol cops to help in contact tracing

CEBU, Philippines — The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) will help in the contact tracing of the third confirmed case of the Novel Coronavirus in the country who reportedly visited the province.

Police Colonel Jonathan Cabal, BPPO Director, in their meeting with the local Department of Health Unit of the province, said the BPPO was tasked to help in tracing the persons that the 60-year-old Chinese who had in contact with during her visit in Bohol.

He, however, added that the information will be coming alone from the DOH to avoid conflict and that they will just assist the agency in terms of the contact tracing.

At present, Cabal said that the DOH has not yet given any list of names that the police have to start tracing with.

He added that he would suggest to create a technical group for the process.

When asked if the PNP is ready for the possible start of the contact tracing, Cabal answered: “meron kaming lakas ng loob.”

“Mobile Force most likely (to do the contact tracing) kasi (sila) yung naka standby. Hindi pwede makagalaw yung nasa station kasi maraming reklamo,” he added.

Cabal added that he is also considering of assigning the task to the younger police personnel.

In a separate interview, Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director, said that they have not yet receive any directive from the Police Regional Office-7 on the contact tracing.

He said he will also be looking out for the health status of the police personnel who will be possibly assigned for the contact tracing.

“Siyempre sa part naming medyo worried ka rin kasi yung protection din namin. Kung mga doctor nga eh nagkakasakit na rin, kami pa na police?  We lack knowledge talaga sa handling nito. Very abrupt yung pag punta ng virus tapos yung concern, sana wala,” he said.  GAN (FREEMAN)