PNP readies CBRNE-trained personnel to help in repatriation of Pinoys from nCoV-affected countries

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has readied its chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE)-trained personnel to assist in the government's action in repatriating Filipinos from countries which are affected by the 2019 novel coronavirus, its chief said on Monday.

"The Philippine National Police has made available a team of CBRNE-trained medical personnel from the PNP Health Service who may be deployed to assist concerned agencies in the repatriation of Filipinos based in China and other countries affected by the 2019 N-CoV ARD who will wish to return to the country subject to mandatory quarantine procedure," Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said at a press briefing.

"At present the PNP has a ready complement of 105 CBRNE-trained personnel from SAF (Special Action Force), Health Service, Crime Lab and EOD-K9 that can be called upon to respond to CBRNE events," Gamboa added.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Ricardo Jalad earlier said repatriation of Filipinos may start this week.

Over the weekend, the Department of Health confirmed the second case of nCoV in the country, adding that it was the first death in the Philippines and outside China.

The second case was the partner of the Philippines' first confirmed case of novel coronavirus. They traveled from Hong Kong to Cebu on January 21 and from there transferred to Dumaguete then Manila.

Both were confined at San Lazaro Hospital in the City of Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte already directed the temporary ban on all travelers from mainland China as well as from Hong Kong and Macau amid the threat of the novel coronavirus.

Asked when will the CBRNE-trained personnel be deployed, Gamboa said this would depend on the guidance of the Department of Health (DOH).

"Ang deployment ng PNP ay primarily bent on DOH kasi sila 'yung overall in-charge nito. We do not move on our own because sila 'yung may authority," Gamboa said.

"Tutulong ang PNP but we're just presenting na meron kaming ganitong pwersa whom they can use," he added.

Gamboa added that the doctors from the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are also being readied if their assistance is needed in controlling the spread of nCoV.

"I think the AFP and the PNP commits our doctors, medical doctors, if need be. So nandiyan kami," Gamboa said.

Meanwhile, Gamboa said the PNP is also studying the possibility of implementing temporary lockdown on all its training facilities including the Philippine National Police Academy and the National Training Police Institute.