By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) assured that services of Alimodian Police Station remain unhampered despite several personnel testing positive for COVID-19.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said they already sent augmentation teams from the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (IPMFC) based in Tigbauan town and the 2nd IPMFC in Sara to Alimodian.
Investigators from other police stations were also temporarily deployed to fill in the work of Alimodian PNP investigators who are in quarantine.
Gorero said 28 persons contracted the virus at the Alimodian Police Station.
The number includes 21 organic personnel of Alimodian PNP, two augmentation officers from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 (RFMB-6), three non-uniformed personnel (NUP), and two persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) or detainees.
The first batch of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests saw 20 police personnel – 18 organic and two RMFB-6 members – who tested positive.
Six personnel – three organic and three NUPs – were positive in the second round of testing.
One police officer is presently confined due to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
Gorero said the virus spread appeared to have started from the two inmates.
Last week, police personnel began showing flu-like symptoms. They subsequently underwent RT-PCR test.
Gorero said those who contracted the virus were already placed under home or facility quarantine.
Some Alimodian cops are staying at the quarantine facilities of San Miguel, Oton, and Tigbauan where they reside.
Gorero said the police station was also temporarily closed yesterday for thorough disinfection.
The PNP temporarily holds office at the municipal hall.
Gorero theorized that the virus may have spread easily because the Alimodian Police Station is cramped.
“All police stations were told to do disinfection every shifting,” he said.
Amid the surge of COVID-10 cases in the province, Gorero said they have been constantly reminding police officers to always observe minimum health protocols.
