As Duterte orders arrest of people without masks, government scrambles to find space for detaineesMANILA, Philippines — Newly-arrested persons will now be brought to police station holding cells in a bid to stop COVID-19 from spreading in Bureau of Jail and Management Penology-managed jails. Latest data available from BJMP showed that as of June 11, 745 of their detainees contracted the deadly coronavirus. In police detention facilities, Banac said they have so far not monitored any COVID-19 cases. The PNP spokesperson also explained that part of the measures they enforce is conducting rapid tests among PDLs showing COVID-19 symptoms. “Yes, that’s part of our strict biosafety measures currently in effect in all our police stations and detention facilities, trace-isolate-treat, in case any detainee would show symptoms of virus infections,” Banac said.

Source: Philippine Star July 21, 2020 08:48 UTC