Around 560 PNP personnel manning all checkpoints in the region during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) have not been infected by COVID-19.
“We are happy to report that we have no positive cases in PRO (Police Regional Office) XI,” Maj. Eudisan Gultiano, the regional police spokesperson, said.
The officers are considered frontliners and have a very high risk of being infected with coronavirus while they inspect vehicles and check individuals. As of 12 noon of April 14, there were already 90 positive cases in the region, with 74 in Davao City.
All police officers are aware of the safety protocols, such as the proper wearing of personal protective equipment, hand-washing, and how to discard and wash their uniforms when they go home.
They are also advised to take a bath immediately to avoid risking the health of the other inhabitants in the house.
On Tuesday, the Philippine National Police revealed that 50 police officers nationwide have tested positive for COVID-19.
“Before, we had 16 persons under investigation (PUI)s. Now, only five are still completing the home quarantine,” Eudisan said. “The rest had completed their self-quarantine.”
However, he said that they would bring their personnel to the Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Regional Medical Center if their condition worsens.
“But with the trend here in Davao Region, our data is promising,” she said.
The Department of Health has only recorded three cases in Davao Region for the previous three days from April 11-13.
In a separate interview, Col. Mark Solero, the chief of staff of the Health Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, said the regional offices have submitted their respective lists of names with a proper medical background. These are either nurses or medical technologies.
They will render quick response duties after completing a refresher’s course.
“If there will be infected (persons), they will be the one to move every region to fetch or to bring or transport personnel or person through emergency ambulance to the designated quarantine areas or hospitals,” Solero said.
The Interagency Task Force has recommended that at least 50% of the force should be out on the field to lessen cross-infection if everybody stays inside the camps. Once infected, they are mandated to undergo quarantines, which will severely impact the enforcement of public order and safety.
“If ever they feel something different they should report to their respective superior officer and the officer should report that to Regional Health Service,” he said, adding that they are handing out vitamins to their personnel to boost their immune systems.
Based on the PNP record, the number of infections among those who rendered duties at checkpoints is insignificant.
