Family mulls complaint vs. 'Poblacion Girl' over quarantine breach

The family who had a dinner party with the Filipina traveler from the US who skipped hotel quarantine and later tested positive for COVID-19, is considering filing a complaint against her.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Thursday, Carlos Laurel, a member of the family, said they consider the actions of the traveler, identified as Gwyneth Chua, irresponsible especially since some of his siblings and cousins tested positive for COVID-19 after the dinner.

“First, we thought that it was irresponsible,” he said.

“Pinag-uusapan pa po [ang pag-file ng complaint]. Our main concern at this point is magpagaling sa mga maysakit at pinag-iisipan kung ano yung pinakatamang gawin with regards to our family’s position at this point,” Laurel added.

(We are still discussing filing a complaint. Our main concern at this point is to attend to those who are sick and planning the best action with regards to our family's position at this point.)

According to Laurel, the family dinner was set up because they have not been together since 2019 due to the pandemic.

He said Chua was at the gathering because her boyfriend, who was a friend of his cousin, brought her there. He said no one in their family personally invited her.

“None of us. I or my cousins did not personally invite her to the dinner,” Laurel said.

Of the 17 people who attended the dinner, 13 were members of the clan including Laurel, two were dates, and the remaining two were Chua and her boyfriend.

Laurel said Chua — dubbed 'Poblacion Girl' in reports after she also allegedly attended a party in Barangay Poblacion in Makati City when she was supposed to be on quarantine — should be more mindful of her actions now following the incident.

“We're all adults here. I hope you’re really moving forward, really think about your actions and the way they affect others,” he said.

“As much as everyone is trying to stay safe, comply with the health safety protocols, be mindful of the way your actions affect others.”

On Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police lodged a complaint before the Makati Prosecutor's Office against Chua for alleged violation of the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

Also named respondents were Chua's parents, five hotel personnel, and her boyfriend.

The CIDG said Chua's close contacts may also file complaints against her.  —KBK, GMA News