Eighty-two policemen from the Talipapa police station of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and 51 of them were found to have been deployed at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday even though their swab test results were not yet released.
According to the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, 161 police officers of the station were swab tested on Friday.
“Merong 3 nagkaroon ng history ng symptoms sa mga na-swab. Possible isa sa kanilang may sintomas ang nag-spread sa mga police station,” said Dr. Rolly Cruz, chief of QC epidemiology and surveillance unit.
So far, the Talipapa police station nor the 2 police community precincts have not been locked down.
It is said that the contact trace of those who met the police who watched the SONA protest was a problem.
“Test was made July 23, SONA was July 26… Alam natin nakapuwesto sila sa UP Technohub at UP Kinetics,” said QCPD director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra.
QCPD deployed ‘COVID-19 suspects’ cops in SONA
When Yarra was asked why the police were deployed even before the results of their swab test came out: “They are fully vaccinated,” the chief reasoned.
Experts have repeatedly reminded that COVID-19 can still infect vaccinated people.
Former lawmaker Teddy Casiño slammed the QCPD for sending “COVID-19 suspect” policemen to SONA, where thousands are rallying.
“Panay warning n’yo sa mga raliyista na sumunod sa health protocols, yun pala pulis mismo ang lumabag. Di ba ang protocol, self-isolation habang naghihintay ng swab test results? Bakit dineploy n’yo pa sa SONA?” said Casiño.
(You always warned the rallyists to follow the health protocols. That’s what the police themselves violated. Isn’t the protocol self-isolation while waiting for swab test results? Why are you still deploying to SONA?)
He further insisted that the police be held accountable for the alleged “intentional” deployment of COVID-19 suspects.
“The PNP’s deliberate deployment of suspected Covid-19 carriers to the SONA rally put in danger not only their fellow cops but the rally participants as well. Moreover, it was a blatant violation of health protocols. May dapat managot dito.”
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.