BuCor wants Sanchez moved to PGH

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) yesterday sought the transfer of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez from the New Bilibid Prison Hospital in Muntinlupa to the Philippine General Hospital while waiting for his swab test results to confirm if he was infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the BuCor made the request after Sanchez reportedly manifested symptoms of the virus.

The 71-year-old Sanchez underwent swab test on Monday.

He was brought to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa for vomiting and diarrhea but was not admitted because its COVID-19 ward was full, according to the BuCor.

The former Calauan, Laguna mayor had tested positive for the virus in an earlier anti-body rapid test.

“The BuCor is still waiting for the results of Sanchez’s swab test. It might take three to five days,” Perete said.

Perete said Sanchez is scheduled to undergo further medical tests after he was diagnosed with “acute gastroenteritis, chronic kidney disease, hypertension and benign prostatic hypertrophy.”

Earlier, the BuCor said Sanchez has been in and out of the hospital since December because of complications and diseases tied to his age.

Sanchez is serving seven life terms after he was convicted for murdering University of the Philippines Los Baños students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez in 1993.

Sarmenta was raped by Sanchez and his men before she was shot in the head.