Latest cop who died of COVID-19 was Cebu-based, PNP says

The latest policeman who died due to COVID-19 was from Central Visayas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

According to the PNP, the ninth fatality is a 45-year-old, Cebu-based police officer. PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa expressed grief over the latest death within the police organization.

The PNP said the total number of COVID-19 cases among policemen already increased to 518, with 313 recoveries. Four of the nine fatalities are from Central Visayas, the PNP said. 

Gamboa has been saying that the PNP is alarmed with the increasing number of cops infected with COVID-19 in the region.

The national government is also monitoring the situation, especially in Cebu City, due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the area, now more than 4,000.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Cebu City has been placed on lockdown amid the increase in cases.

Due to this, the PNP is fast tracking the establishment of a RT/PCR testing facility in the area to help in preventing the spread of the disease.

“We are doing our best to provide immediate medical attention to our police patients and to help keep our frontliners safe," Gamboa said. --KBK, GMA News