Pardo’s top cop, 8 others positive for coronavirus

CEBU, Philippines —  The station commander and eight other personnel of Pardo Police Station in Cebu City have tested positive for the coronavirus disease, Police Regional Office-7 Director Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said yesterday.

Ferro told reporters that most of the cops who have tested positive for the virus have been assigned in anti-illegal drug operations.

“Most of those who have been the source of the virus are PUPCs or persons under police custody. Kani nga mga PUPCs nga wala pa na-commit sa BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology),” Ferro said.

The situation in Pardo station, or the Station 7 of the Cebu City Police Office, draws parallels with that in Station 6 in Barangay Sawang Calero, where more than 20 police personnel had also tested positive for the coronavirus.

The nine positive Pardo policemen emerged from the 73 who underwent swab testing earlier.

“This unseen foe is still very dangerous, even if we are still in those protective gears. We are not fully safe if the virus continues to spread,” Ferro said.

The PRO-7 chief, however, assured that prior to the release of the swab results, the personnel of Pardo station have already been isolated.

After the results were made known, those who tested positive were then separated in another isolation center. The remaining personnel who tested negative were given the go signal to go back to their duties.

Ferro reiterated that as part of the precautionary measures in the police stations, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) or inmates are required to go through swat testing before being committed in the station cells.

This measure is done in close coordination with the BJMP.

Aside from this, Ferro said, barriers have been installed at the police complaint desks to minimize physical interaction between the police personnel and the public.

Since the station commander of Pardo station is positive for the virus, Ferro has designated an officer-in-charge on his behalf.

Ferro added that the Pardo station will continue to function as it is still capable to do so.  JMD (FREEMAN)

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