AUTHORITIES have found and brought back to a quarantine facility one of eight Filipino workers who recently escaped from a quarantine facility in Metro Manila, pending results of their COVID-19 tests.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday said the 49-year-old OFW, who was later found to be infected with the virus, was traced to his house in Quezon City on Sunday.
“He was immediately brought to a COVID-19 treatment facility,” the PCG said of the OFW.
“His family members and other persons he had personal contact with, on the other hand, were put in isolation and are now undergoing COVID-19 RT-PCR testing,” the PCG also said in a statement.
The PCG said the OFW started his mandatory quarantine on May 11 but left the facility in Pasay City four days later, pending the result of his COVID-19 test. The result later came out, showing he is COVID-19 positive.
The PCG said the OFW will face charges in court “once he is cleared” of the virus.
PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the seven other OFWs who escaped from quarantine facilities tested negative for COVID-19.
“They shall be arrested and shall face charges for violating quarantine protocols and for compromising the health and safety of their families and communities,” said Balilo of the seven OFWs.
Balilo appealed to all returning OFWs and their families for understanding amid the stringent protocols for repatriated workers.
“We know how much you want to be with your family. We know how hard it is to not be with them during this crisis, but we need your cooperation to make this measure work,” Balilo also said.