The National Capital Region Police Office said Sunday it was prepared to give additional security in hotels if needed – after a woman allegedly used her “connections” to waive her five-day quarantine at a hotel in Makati City.
The Department of Tourism is also investigating Berjaya Makati Hotel which allowed the female guest to forgo her quarantine to attend parties in Poblacion, Makati where her colleagues and even the restaurant staff eventually tested positive for COVID-19.
In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said hotels already have in-house security to ensure COVID-19 protocols would be followed.
But if hotels need more enforcers, Danao said they could send additional manpower “depending on the situation,” Danao said.
At the same time, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is now conducting an investigation into the circumstances involving the woman, identified as Gwyneth Anne Chua, who flew in from Los Angeles, California.
Chua would be charged by local officials for violating the state-mandated health protocols, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos also said he had tasked units to investigate the case.
The PNP was mandated to inspect hotel facilities and make an accounting of persons under quarantine.
Danao also asked the public to be disciplined and to follow the COVID-19 safety protocols.
“The key here is for people to have discipline. We can’t guard them all,” Danao said.
In a statement on Saturday, the hotel assured it is fully cooperating with the investigation and will impose severe sanctions on “any employee found errant by commission or omission” to deter a repeat of the breach.