ALTHOUGH the Provincial Health Office (PHO) has terminated the services of three nurses who took and uploaded a video of suspected drug personality Gembe Casas, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 will still investigate the matter.
CHR 7 Director Arvin Odron said a team led by CHR 7 Chief Investigator Leo Villarino went to Tuburan town last Monday, Feb. 18, to gather information.
“They talked to some witnesses and hospital authorities, but only initial information was gathered. They will make a follow-up investigation after attending a three-day Case Management Training for all CHR investigators,” Ordon said in a text message to SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
The nurses, all job order workers, were terminated from service last Tuesday, Feb. 19.
In its investigation, the PHO grievance committee found that there was “direct responsibility and liability” involved, as two of the nurses took the video and uploaded it on social media.
Although the third nurse only took a photo of Casas and did not upload it, the medical worker was still held liable for violating the Data Privacy Act.
A midwife, who asked for a copy of the video, will be referred to the Provincial Human Resources Office for further investigation. She is a permanent employee of the Tuburan District Hospital.
“Our investigation is focused on the allegation that the hospital authorities failed to attend to the medical needs of Mr. Casas, resulting to his death,” Ordon said.
Part of the CHR’s probe, Ordon said, is the propriety of the conduct of the police operation against Casas.
PHO Chief Rene Catan maintains that the medical personnel of the Tuburan District Hospital followed protocol and helped Casas with the “best of their capability and capacity.”
The one minute and 25 second video footage went viral and drew the ire of netizens as it gave the impression that the medical personnel neglected Casas.
SunStar Cebu tried to reach Philippine Nurses Association-Cebu Chapter president Joseph Stephen Descallar for comment, but he was not available as of press time.