Authorities on Wednesday apprehended veteran broadcast journalist Howie Severino for supposedly not wearing a face mask in Quezon City.
Ret. police general Elmo San Diego, the city government’s Department of Public Order and Safety head, however, clarified that Severino was taken to the Amoranto Stadium for an “interview validation,” and that he did not go through a short seminar on the proper use of face masks in public.
“Our enforcers validated if it’s true that he was using a face mask, but just lowered it down momentarily to take a drink,” he told the Manila Standard.
“There were at least six convoys of enforcers at that time when Severino was spotted in front of a shop (along Mother Ignacia Street). The first five convoys just passed by him, while those at the last and sixth convoy stopped in front of him and called his attention because it was then when he was chanced upon that his mask was pulled down,” he said.
He warned that the law on wearing face masks and the other quarantine protocols must apply to all.
“I know Howie. (But) No one is exempted,” he said.
Hundreds of people were at the Amoranto Stadium in Barangay Paligsahan to attend a seminar on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) when Severino was brought there.
Severino, however, said mass gatherings could compromise the people’s health.
In his Facebook post, the multi-awarded broadcast journalist said “we were all wearing masks. We bought drinks at the store next door and drank them after pulling down our masks below the mouth (because we have not learned to drink yet with masks on).”
“I had just finished my drink and returned the bottle to the store before I could pull my mask back up when at least three vehicles of QC law enforcers arrived to tell me I was talking without my mask covering my mouth,” he added.
In April, Severino was patient 2828 who contracted COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City government is set to conduct contact tracing on those who have been with Mayor Joy Belmonte and two other employees who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We are currently doing contact tracing on all those who had direct contact with the mayor in the last few days,” Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit chief Dr. Rolly Cruz said.
The employees who had contact with the mayor and the two other employees would go through a swab test, especially those in the third and 14th floors of the city hall main building, he cited.
“Other people who had direct contact with the Mayor and the two other employees, including visitors, will also undergo swab testing, he said.
“Employees who will be tested need to undergo home quarantine until results are released as part of protocol,” he added.
Results will be out in just three days.
The city government said other areas of the city hall would be disinfected but business is as usual since not all employees have come in direct contact with Belmonte in the past few days.
The chief executive, who attended the executive committee meeting via online, is working from home and is on top of the situation.
“The Honorable Mayor exhibits none of the symptoms of COVID-19 and remains fully able and committed to serving the City and its constituents,” city attorney officer Niño Casimiro said.
“The Honorable Mayor shall continue to lead and serve the City through these difficult times. As always, the City and the Honorable Mayor reminds everyone to stay safe and healthy,” he said in a statement.