51 cops deployed for SONA tested positive for COVID-19

Eighty-two police officers from Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 3 tested positive for COVID-19, with 51 deployed for the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The affected police officers had been vaccinated and were asymptomatic, and their test results were released two days after they were deployed for SONA duties.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stated the infections were not related to SONA duties as the officers were swabbed before the event.

The Quezon City government confirmed the 51 cops assigned to SONA security had no public contact.

However, progressive lawmakers from the Makabayan Bloc condemned the deployment of these policemen pending their COVID-19 test results.

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar ordered the administrative relief of QCPD Station 3 commander Lieutenant Colonel Cristine Tabdi for command responsibility.

The Department of Health confirmed that the QCPD breached health protocols by deploying police officers who were awaiting their COVID-19 test results.

Malacañang, through Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, has ordered an investigation into the incident, stating it was against standard operating procedure to deploy personnel without confirmed negative test results.