Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-6) undergo COVID-19 testing at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on June 16. (Photo by Arnold Almacen)

The local government units (LGUs) of Malay in Aklan and Iloilo City will sue the coronavirus-positive personnel of the Bureau of Fire Potection (BFP-6) for allegedly violating quarantine protocols.

According to Acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista of Malay, their Legal Office is now identifying the appropriate legal action to be taken against the 26-year-old female personnel, who was supposed to be under quarantine while waiting for the result of her coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test.

In its official statement, the Malay LGU said the infected personnel, citing the port manifesto, entered the island at about 5 p.m. on June 12 via the Tabon-Tambisaan Port and left Malay at 1:40 p.m. on June 14.

“The BFP personnel allegedly went on unofficial business and violated quarantine protocols of both the municipalities of Malay and Kalibo,” the LGU said.

“The LGU of Malay strongly condemns this irresponsible and blatant disregard of quarantine protocols,” it added.

Supt. Crosbee Gumowang, BFP-6 assistant director, denied the Malay LGU’s claim that their infected personnel visited Boracay.

“She did not went to the island,” he said.

The Iloilo Government will also pursue charges against the BFP personnel.

“Ginahulat ko na gid lang ang police report,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The regional office of BFP-6 was placed by Treñas, through an executive order, under extreme enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from June 15 until June 18.

The Department of Health (DOH-6) identified the personnel as a locally stranded individual (LSI). She travelled to Cebu and went back to Iloilo on June 5.

The personnel underwent PT-PCR testing on June 6 and the result was released by the DOH’s Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) on June 13.

As an LSI, the personnel must go through a 14-day home or facility quarantine.

On June 9, the personnel was transferred from Go Hotel to the BFP barracks along Macario Peralta Street.

The patient is currently staying at a quarantine facility in the city. She is asymptomatic.IMT