MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday backed the recommendation to temporarily release of sickly and vulnerable detainees during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. ADVERTISEMENT“Staying in crowded jails would expose them to greater risk of contracting the disease aggravating their situation,” it added. The DSWD then called on concerned agencies to immediately tackle the proposal. According to the committee, four to five detained persons are cramped in a space designed for one detainee. As of Sunday, the DOH said there are 4,648 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with the death toll reaching 297.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 12, 2020 14:26 UTC