Chlorine splashing involving nurse only ‘an accident’

CEBU, Philippines — The alleged incident involving a nurse who harassed by being splashed chlorine or bleach turned out to be “an accident,” police said.

Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, Police Regional Office-7 director, said this was based on the investigation made by the police about the incident that allegedly transpired along Tres de Abril Street, Cebu City on Saturday evening.

“Murag ang istorya, they were disinfecting  the barangay when the nurse was accidentally murag natalsikan lang sa chlorine, parang  nataaman lang, wala gituyo (They were disinfecting the barangay when the nurse was inadvertently splashed with chlorine),” Ferro said.

Ferro said that the finding was based on police conversation with the barangay officials. He, however, added that they will conduct further validation.

“Murag naay development na dili tinuod tung sa nurse, but hopefully dili to tinuod para atong health workers dili mahadlok nga magpadayon sa ilang mga duties (It’s likely the report was not true. We hope it’s not true so our health workers will not be afraid to continue with their duties),” he said.

As to reports of discrimination against nurses that happened in the boarding houses and apartments, wherein some house or apartment owners have allegedly cast out the frontliners, Ferro said the same is now under investigation.

Transport Assistance

Meanwhile, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) will provide assistance in the form of transportation to medical frontliners, said CPPO Director Colonel Rhoderick Mariano.

According to Mariano, this is in line with the directives of the Chief PNP and guidance the PRO-7 director.

“Akong directives is to have due courtesy and assist our health workers,” Ferro told reporters.

In line with this, Mariano said that he had already told his personnel to prioritize the health workers from the province crossing the borders into Cebu City.

“At yung talagang iba na wala (vehicles), I directed all my chief of police na sila na mismo ang maghatid kung saan sila pupunta provided na sumusunod doon sa protocols natin ng social distancing,” Mariano said.

Mariano has also asked the other local executives with spare vehicles to also provide assistance to medical workers.

“Tulungan sila kung kinakailangan na isakay sila sa mga sasakyan natin...at pinaparating din natin ito sa ating mga local executives na tumulong din sila na magkaroon ng sasakyan sa ating mga health workers,” he said.  KQD (FREEMAN)