Barok falls ill inside CPDRC

CEBU, Philippines - High-profile drug personality Alvaro "Barok" Alvaro was down with fever and wanted to go to the hospital, similar to what is happening to other inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

Marco Toral, Capitol consultant on jail management, said they instead told Alvaro to have his private doctor examine him as it was unlikely the court would grant his request to go to the hospital.

"Ako sya gi-explain-nan nga 'bai, kani siya bai dili gyud na siya pwede'.  Kay pananglitan mokuha ta og court order, most probably nga dili ma-approve bitaw kay tungod sa iyang kaso nga high profile siya," Toral said.

He said Alvaro's medical records reflected a certain Matthew Yap as his personal doctor.

Toral said that after his arraignment in Danao City, Cebu Tuesday, Barok complained that he did not feel well and developed fever as high as 40 °C.

He said jail guards called him at 2 a.m. Wednesday informing him of the situation but unfortunately no doctor was available to check on Alvaro, who is considered a high-risk inmate because of his crimes, especially his involvement and knowledge on illegal drugs. Authorities are also relying on him to divulge the names of those belonging to the syndicate that handles the illegal drug trade in the region.

Aside from fever, Alvaro also developed rashes on the skin which he said, according to Toral, would show when he has allergies.

"Gawas nga 40 (degrees Celsius) iyang temperature, allergy iyang panit, mura'g katol kuno.  Pero dili sad maingon nga hangga kay dili man hangga, nya normally kuno, basta ing-ani katong laya pa siya kuno, hilantan sya manggawas ni iyang allergies," Toral said.

He, however, said they did not know what kind of allergy Alvaro has.

He said the CPDRC nurse advised Alvaro and the other inmates to take medicine for fever, have a sponge bath with warm water, and drink plenty of water. They were also told to apply skin moisturizer to relieve the itchiness Toral said, the nurse in CPDRC checked Barok and just advised them to let the inmate take medicines, sponge with warm water to relieve the fever and drink and energy drink. Alvaro was also advised to apply a skin moisturizer to relieve the itchiness he felt.

Toral said that as of last night, Alvaro's fever went down to 38.7°C. He suspected that the change of weather caused Barok's sickness and that of the other inmates. (FREEMAN)