A POLICE non-commissioned officer yesterday was recorded as the 47th COVID-19 fatality in the Philippine National Police, PNP chief, General Debold M. Sinas said with a sad tone yesterday.
The 47th PNP death was a member of the National Capital Region Police Office’s (NCRPO) Regional Mobile Group with the rank of Police Staff Sergeant.
The cop passed away at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City on Tuesday evening.
Prior to his death, the policeman was reported to have suffered from fever and body pains last March 21 but did not report to the NCRPO Regional Health Service as he was said to be hesitant in being quarantined.
When his symptoms progressed and he developed shortness of breathing, cough, colds and diarrhea, the cop opted to go on home quarantine and self-medication until he was tested positive for the virus last April 6.
The policeman also told his superiors he did not want to be admitted to a police treatment facility and would just seek a private hospital’s help. Failing to find a private hospital room, he finally agreed to be admitted at the NCRPO Special Care Facility last April 7.
However, he again requested to be transferred to the Marikina City hospital the following day. Acceding to his request, the cop was accompanied by a team of officers from the NCPRO Health Service to the Marikina hospital last April 10.
However, his condition further deteriorated until he died 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“I am reminding again all our police personnel to be cautious of your health condition and do not self-medicate as it may get worse,” Sinas said.
