Raps set vs cop with Covid for sneaking into Baguio

By Liza Agoot  

BAGUIO CITY – The Manila police official who was tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is now facing administrative and criminal cases for sneaking into the city, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Thursday.

             Magalong said the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters has launched a pre-charge investigation on Maj. Rafael Roxas, deputy chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory’s Fingerprint Division, after apologizing to the mayor for slipping into Baguio without undergoing the quarantine protocols.

Those who want to enter the city have to present a permit from the city government at the borders then will be led to the triage to make a referral whether they will undergo a 14-day quarantine in a medical facility, or home isolation.

Magalong said that while the tracing of Roxas’ contacts is being done, an investigation is underway to find out how he entered, who allowed him entry without going through the process.

Roxas is the city’s 31st Covid-19 case, after recording no transmission cases since April 27. He was tested positive for Covid-19 on May 11 but had been isolated last week, when he arrived here to visit a relative.

Magalong reiterated that no one is spared from undergoing the quarantine protocols to contain the spread of the respiratory disease.

"But surely, when he (Roxas) gets well, he will face a case,” Magalong said.

Roxas’ condition was first raised during a meeting of the management committee on Tuesday where the city health officials informed the panel that there is a new case involving a police official.

Magalong immediately placed Dontogan village, where Roxas stayed, under lockdown. 

           This, as city police director Col. Allen Rae Co said, “It is deeply saddening that another member of the Philippine National Police was infected with the dreaded covid19 virus. He is Major Rafael Roxas, assigned as the Deputy Chief of the Fingerprint Division of the PNP NHQ Crime Laboratory Office and he is presently confined at the BGHMC.”

              An a press statement, Co said “Roxas’s travel from Manila to Baguio is now under Pre-Charge Investigation and if it will be found out that he committed lapses, then the proper disciplinary actions will be taken against him. The PNP does not tolerate disregard for rules and procedures from its personnel. He will face the consequences of his actions, but the focus right now is on his healing and bringing him back to good health.

“It is also untrue that we give special treatment to our brother in arms in their travels during the time of ECQ, and as a matter of fact, the PNP has issued restrictions on the movement of our personnel specially those coming from NCR and these restrictions were self-imposed by the PNP upon the directive of our Chief PNP and our PROCOR Regional Director specifically to prevent these kinds of incidents. We ask for your understanding and compassion in this time of greatest need of Major Roxas.” – With a PNA report