PRO-Davao: 700 Lumad in Haran at risk of Covid-19
THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region expressed alarm after learning that a child inside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran died of pneumonia, which is one of the symptoms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), fearing possible contamination inside the facility that houses around 700 Lumad.
PRO-Davao Director Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal said in a virtual presser on Wednesday, May 20, that they received a report that an eight-month-old infant living inside the compound died.
"Nakaabot sa atoa nga impormasyon nga naay bata nga namatay tungod nagkasakit unya iyang sakit, after the autopsy na found out na kining pneumonia 'yong kanaynag hinungdan sa pagkamatay (The death of an infant has come to our attention and after the autopsy, it was found out that the baby died due to pneumonia)," Escobal said.
"Kining pneumonia isa ni sa symptom nga ginasulti sa naay sakit nga Covid. We cannot rule out nga katong bata walay Covid. Mao na sitwasyon sa Haran, daghan baya na sila dira naa sa mga 700 mga Lumad pa ang naa dira (Pneumonia is one of the symptoms of Covid-19. We cannot rule out that the baby has no Covid-19. That is the situation inside UCCP Haran)," he added.
The infant died on May 9, 2020 and was buried at Madapo Cemetery. The baby was exhumed on Wednesday, May 13, by personnel of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) and officials of 8-A Poblacion District, Bankerohan, Davao City so it will be autopsied.
This developed after the mother of the infant revealed the fate of her daughter on May 11 to the social workers of City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) during the relief goods distribution at UCCP Haran vicinity in Father Selga Street. The mother was believed to be mentally-challenged.
While there is no result yet proving the baby is infected with the Covid-19, Escobal is also not discounting the possibility that she perished due to the Covid-19, which may put the compound located on Father Selga Street at risk of infection.
Escobal said they already had a meeting with concerned agencies on measures on how to transfer the children and other Lumad to a safe facility to be properly attended to.
He added that investigation is now ongoing on the possible negligence of the administrator of UCCP Haran.
"Isa ni ka situation that would tell us so many things on the health condition sa sulod and naa sa palibot. Kini kinahangalna tan-awon unya ang national government agency, we urge them to help to address the problem sa sulod (This situation would tell us so many things on the health condition of those living inside and the vicinity. We need to look at it and we urged the national government agencies to help address the problem)," Escobal said.
He said there are already initial steps for the testing inside the UCCP Haran. DCPO is also coordinating with City health Officials to ensure that the possibility of a Covid-19 infection will not spread among the indigenous peoples inside.
He likewise urged the UCCP Haran officials to cooperate and allow the government to deliver the needed services.
"Our objective is dili na mag spread ang infection. Dira man gud sa Haran, gina-prevent nga makasulod ang mga assistance sa gobyerno. Mao ni isa problem nga kinahanag ma-address (Our objective is to prevent the spread of infection. In Haran, however, they prevent the government from providing assistance to those living inside)," he said.