Hostage-taking guard positive for COVID

MANILA, Philippines  — A security guard who held hostage a doctor at the emergency room of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, police reported yesterday.

Hilarion Achondo, 51, was found infected with the virus on Thursday, according to Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Achondo was brought to the EAMC on Wednesday after complaining of chest pains.

Montejo said 10 police officers, including a lieutenant assigned with QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), who had close contact with Achondo was placed under quarantine at a facility at the police headquarters at Camp Karingal.

Montejo said they had informed the EAMC management and the doctor whom Achondo took hostage that the suspect was infected with the virus.

“We also advised Achondo’s relatives to have themselves checked up and undergo quarantine,” Montejo said.

CIDU chief Maj. Elmer Monsalve said they immediately disinfected their office after they learned about Achondo’s condition.

Members of the CIDU who are on quarantine have not shown symptoms of the virus, according to Monsalve.

“They are all doing good,” he said in a phone interview.

Police said the other CIDU detainees had no interaction with Achondo as he was held in another room.