PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana have tested negative for the new coronavirus, the pathogen that causes coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said on Wednesday, April 1, said Gamboa remains on duty, but observing strict biosafety measures including the social distancing and disinfecting of his personnel coming in and out of his office as well as the White House, the official residence of the PNP chief inside Camp Crame.
“Yes nag undergo siya ng test pero negative result. I think two weeks ago na ‘yung result. I have no exact date though,” said Banac.
“He is on duty, up and running the entire affairs of the PNP amid the ECQ (Enhance Community Quarantine),” he added.
Banac made the statement to allay fears after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, who oversees the PNP, announced that he tested positive for the virus but noted that he was asymptomatic.
Banac said Gamboa has had no recent meetings with the DILG.
In a statement, Lorenzana said he also tested negative for the new coronavirus, or Sara-CoV-2.
"Guys, my test came out today (Tuesday). I am negative of the (Covid-19). On the advice (of) the doctor, I will complete my quarantine until April 6," Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana has been on self-quarantine since March 27, after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Felimon Santos tested positive on March 26.
Meanwhile, DILG spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said senior officials of the agency who were in close contact with the Secretary, including him, are now on self-quarantine.
Malaya assured that the Secretary remains fully in charge and that the operations of the entire department including the interior sector, namely the PNP, BFP and the BJMP, will not in any way be affected by this development. (SunStar Philippines)