The 51 police officers stationed during President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) had no physical interaction with protesters, according to the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Police Major General Vicente Danao Jr. said during an interview with Super Radyo dzBB that the infected police force were currently staying at the University of the Philippines-TechnoHub in Diliman, Quezon City. All of them are “waiting for orders.”
“Ibig sabihin naka-stand by lang sila sa isang lugar in case of gulo… Hindi nakasalamuha ang taong nagrally,” Danao said.
Meanwhile, police officers who interacted with the protesters will still undergo Covid-19 testing.
The infected policemen were earlier reported to have come from the QCPD Police Station 3.
Their results were released on Wednesday and were conducted two days before the SONA.
Danao also aired his frustration against the protesters who failed to submit the list of participants in anti-government protests.
“Kung magsisinungaling kayo edi antayin natin na mangisay kayo diyan. Walang may gusto diyan,” he said.
Danao even blamed progressive groups for protesting during Duterte’s SONA forcing officials to be deployed.
“Ang titigas ng ulo ninyo. Kung hindi kayo nagsipagrally, wala sanang idedeploy na pulis diyan.” Ronald Espartinez