Muntinlupa opposes transfer of 18 COVID-19 positive Correctional inmates to Bilibid

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi scored Wednesday the Bureau of Correction’s move to transfer the 18 inmates of Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to New Bilibid Prison.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Fresnedi said BuCor did not inform or coordinate with the local government the transfer and they have yet to receive any official communication on the matter.

“Nakakalungkot nga na merong tumawag sa amin na merong inilipat pero hindi nanggaling sa opisyal ng Bureau. Siguro naman kahit kanino mangyari ay magugulat at magrereact.  Dito sa Muntinlupa dadalhin na hindi ka man lang nagpapasabi,” he said.

“Pare-parehans naman kaming nasa gobyerno, sana malinaw na ganito ang layunin para maintindihan namin,” he added.

He said Muntinlupa residents, particularly those in Katarungan Village which is near Bilibid, expressed apprehension over the transfer of COVID-19 positive inmates.

“Kaninang umaga may residente ng Katarungan Village na nagtetext na nangangamba, natatakot dahil mga positive ito. ‘Yung mga taong nag aasikaso dito, syempre umuuwi yan sa tahanan,  kung maging positive sila e magiging carrier tayo,” he said.

Fresnedi said the City Council will convene Wednesday to pass a resolution opposing BuCor’s move.

“Kami ay susulat at magkakaroon ng special session ang City Councl at para magpasa ng resolution na ino-oppose at  pinoprotesta ang paglilipat ng COVID positive sa Lungsod ng Muntinlupa,” he said.

He said they also asked Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon to express opposition on the matter.

He also questioned why the female inmates were transferred to Bilibid which is a facility for male inmates.

“Ang Bilibid ay penitentiary ng lalaki, bakit sa pagkakataong ito ang inilipat ay mga babae,” he said.

At present, Fresnedi said Muntinlupa has recorded 121 COVID-19 cases, with 17 deaths.

BuCor spokesperson Col. Gabriel Chaclag, for his part, said the bureau has tried reaching out to Muntinlupa officials.

“Kahapon ay nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa local city government at sinubukan natin na mag-reach out sa kanila but because we have to decide right there and then, pag inspect namin sa CIW ay nakita ni Director (Gerald) Bantag ‘yung kalagayan ng ating isolated na PDL (persons deprived of liberty) sa CIW,” he said in a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

He said CIW has an isolation area for COVID-19 cases but this could not accommodate the 18 patients.

“Sa CIW may isolation area, matagal nang nailatag. Bagamat nakahanda sa paisa isa o dalawa na magiging positive e sabay sabay ‘yung 18 kaya minabuti ni Bantag na ilipat dito sa ating quarantine area sa NBP,” he said.

He said the NBP quarantine facility can accommodate 300 patients but it is yet to be utilized as there is no COVID-19 case yet recorded at the Bilibid.

Chaclag said the facility is safe and far from the nearest residential area.

“Hindi nagamit ito dahil walang positive case sa Bilibid. Ang quarantine area ay safe naman, it is an isolated area with perimeter walls as high as 12 meters. Malayo, ang nearest residential area ay 400 meters away. Ang Katarungan Village ay malayo, 6 kilometers away,” he said.

He further said they followed the protocol when they transferred the patients from Mandaluyong to Muntinlupa.

“Ang protocol ay nasunod with supervision of medical doctor. Ang ginamit ay closed van at wala pang 30 minutes ay nandito na dahil escorted. Before and after ng trip ay may disinfection, outside ng van may disinfection, pagdating sa NBP at quarantine ay disinfected din po,” he said.

“Rest assured na nasunod lahat at hindi nasacrifice ang safety at health ng residents even along the road,” he added.—AOL, GMA News