Cebu village suffers discrimination over COVID cases

MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Barangay Luz in Cebu City are reportedly experiencing discrimination after the city government locked down the village due to the high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Sitio Zapatera.

Village secretary and spokesperson Elde Brian Arañas said a pregnant woman was forced to deliver her baby at home because five hospitals reportedly refused to accept her after learning she is from Barangay Luz.

“Although she was not from Sitio Zapatera… she’s from Sitio San Vicente… still she was rejected because she’s from Barangay Luz,” Arañas said.

There were 83 confirmed COVID cases in Sitio Zapatera as of Saturday.

Esmeralda Coming, the midwife who helped the woman deliver her baby, said their situation was difficult.

Arañas said the hospitals have been identified and the barangay is asking the city government to help them deal with the incident.

She said gas stations in other barangays refused to serve vehicles that bear the name of Barangay Luz.

Even food delivery services also refuse to deliver in the village.

Water refilling stations and variety stores have reportedly shut down. 

Trader held over fake news

Meanwhile, a filmmaker and businesswoman in Cebu City was arrested yesterday for allegedly spreading false information about COVID-19.

Maria Victoria Beltran, 58, was arrested in Barangay Kamputhaw after Mayor Edgardo Labella accused her of spreading fake news.

The arrest stemmed from Beltran’s post on Facebook, wherein she stated that there are over 9,000 COVID-19 cases in Sitio Zapatera, according to Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, Central Visayas police director.

Labella vowed to hold Beltran responsible for her action.

The city public information office government said there are only 163 confirmed cases in Cebu City. – The Freeman