A total of 130 policemen from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) have tested positive for coronavirus, it was reported on Monday, bringing to 1,223 the number of policemen with COVID-19.
Based on the data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service, one police official tested positive while the rest are non-commissioned officers, or those with the rank of Patrolman to Senior Executive Master Sergeant.
Aside from the 130 cops from Calabarzon, four policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) also tested positive and classified as among the new cases.
Of the 1,223 policemen, 501 have fully recovered while nine died.
A total of 1,432 cases were classified as suspected cases of COVID-19 while 666 others are considered probable cases.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said most of those infected got the virus while on frontline duty, or those assigned at the border control checkpoints or conducting community patrols to enforce the observance of minimum health safety requirements.
But despite the setback, Gamboa said they will continue to be at the frontlines. He added that they have been attending to the safety needs of their men on the frontline by providing Personal Protective Equipment and vitamins.