BOQ to file separate complaint vs. ‘Poblacion Girl’ over quarantine breach

The Bureau of Quarantine on Fridays said it will file a separate complaint against the Filipina traveler from the US who skipped hotel quarantine and later tested positive for COVID-19.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, BOQ deputy director Dr. Roberto Salvador Jr. said the BOQ is working with the legal team of the Department of Health.

“Mayroon tayong hiwalay na isasampang kaso. Tinutulungan po tayo ng DOH Legal (We have a separate case that will be filed. The DOH Legal has been helping us),” he said.

According to Salvador, the BOQ with the assistance of the DOH is gathering appropriate evidence that can be used against the quarantine skipper, Gwyneth Chua.

The BOQ will cite Chua’s violation of the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

Asked if BOQ personnel are included in the complaints related to the incident, Salvador pointed out that the BOQ had no involvement in the violation of Chua.

“Walang in any way involvement ang Bureau of Quarantine sa nangyaring violation (The BOQ has no involvement in any way to the violation),” he said.

On December 23, 2021, Chua skipped hotel quarantine to attend a party and visit restaurants in Poblacion, Makati. On December 27, she tested positive for COVID-19.

Her fellow party-goers and some patrons and staff of a restaurant later tested positive for the disease.              

On Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) lodged a complaint before the Makati Prosecutor's Office against Chua, her parents, five hotel personnel, and her boyfriend.  — RSJ, GMA News