Following reports of a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Senator Kiko Pangilinan reiterated the need to have clear plans and protocols for the “new normal,” especially for frontliners.
“Nababahala at nag-aalala kami sa mga balitang parami nang parami sa ating mga kapulisan ang positibo sa COVID-19. Malaking bahagi sila ng pandemic response ng pamahalaan. Pero ano’ng mangyayari sa mga plano kung sunod-sunod silang nagkakasakit habang ginagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin? There has to be a better, clearer, safer way to go about the new normal,” Pangilinan said.
“They are a big part of the government’s pandemic response.”
According to news reports, the chief and the entire Tuguegarao City police force were infected with COVID-19.
Tuguegarao City police chief Col. Jonalyn Tecbobolan and 13 other police officers tested positive for the virus. The city police office has been in lockdown since August 17 after 10 police officers and other non-uniformed personnel earlier also tested positive.
“Mahalaga ang kanilang kalusugan at kaligtasan kung kaya’t kailangan natin ng mas kungkretong paraan kung paano haharapin ang new normal. Dapat better ang new normal,” the veteran legislator said.
“If this is our new normal, there has to be a better normal.”
“Paano natin mababawasan ang banta ng COVID-19 para sa lahat ng ating mga frontliners, kasama na ang mga kapulisan? If this is our new normal, there has to be a better normal. Paigtingin pa lalo ang contact tracing lalo na sa lokal. The government was given the resources to do exactly that, and we expect them to follow through,” the senator added.
The PNP has reported a total of 3,669 COVID-19 cases in its ranks as of August 26. The Philippines also breached the 200,000 cases mark for COVID-19 on the same day.