OCD open to probe on death of police doctor

MANILA – While it welcomes any investigation on the death of a police doctor allegedly due to inhalation of decontamination chemicals, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) clarified that it does not buy or distribute any disinfectant materials to any coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) quarantine facility in the country.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal issued this statement Monday after reports claimed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) tagged the OCD as the source of the chemical that allegedly resulted in the death of Capt. Casey Gutierrez in a quarantine facility in Pasig last month.

“Wala pong binibili at binibigay na decontamination chemicals ang OCD para sa kahit anong Covid-19 facility (The OCD does not buy and distribute any decontamination chemicals to any Covid-19 facility). The only services that were arranged by OCD are: food catering, lodging for servicing personnel, provision of (personal protective equipment sets), hygiene kits, medical equipment and supplies, janitorial services, and waste collection and disposal. OCD is not involved in the actual management and operation of any Covid-19 facility liban po sa pagbibigay ng mga nabanggit (except for the services cited),” he said.

The OCD is the executive arm of the NDRRMC and the implementer of its programs.

“We are confident that the PNP, who manages the Ultra Covid-19 facility, would be able to resolve this matter by verifying where the said chemical actually came from and by examining their procedures involved in disinfecting the facilities they manage as well as the protection of their front-line staff,” Timbal added.

Meanwhile, the PNP clarified the OCD is neither blamed nor pointed to as the source of the concentrated disinfectant solution used by medical and healthcare personnel at the Philsports Arena Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (PSA TTMF).

“In the interest of a thorough investigation, it was suggested that the OCD be asked to assist in the determination of the chemicals’ source given that it was OCD that accredited the service providers in the quarantine facilities operated by the PNP,” said PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac in a statement.

The PNP earlier noted that the chemical disinfectant used in another PNP-managed quarantine facility at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City is hypoallergenic and biodegradable and that the PSA TTMF and PICC have different service providers. (with reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)