Abalos tests positive for COVID-19 anew
INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. called on those who were in close contact with him in the past two days to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms, get an RT-PCR examination and isolate from others if they tested positive.
Abalos informed the public that he was positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation at home, working remotely while strictly following recommended protocols, including health and safety procedures.
The DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) chief conducted a press conference in Camp Crame Sunday following a “botched” escape try by three inmates and the brief hostage-taking on former Senator Leila de Lima.
Photos sent to the media also showed Abalos talking with the jailed ex-senator whom he visited after the incident.
“I would like to inform the public that I have tested positive for COVID-19. I am currently at home in isolation and working remotely while strictly following recommended protocols, including health and safety procedures. I am grateful to have been fully vaccinated with booster. I am asymptomatic and feeling well as of the moment,” he said in a statement.
The DILG Secretary had himself tested as a requirement for a meeting he was supposed to attend in Malacanang. His RT-PCR result came out at 9:12 p.m. Sunday.
In lieu of this development, Abalos instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to also conduct contract tracing measures to notify his direct contacts of possible exposures as he continues to urge Filipinos to get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and their families from the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the DILG chief lauded the PNP for its successful anti-illegal drug operations that led to the seizure of a whopping P6.7 billion worth of shabu in what could be the biggest single-day drug haul in history.
“This afternoon is very historic. This is probably the biggest drug haul in the history of the Philippines. Halos isang toneladang droga o 990 kilograms ng shabu na nagkakahalaga ng humigit-kumulang P6.7 billion ang ating nakuha,” Abalos said.
He added, “I commend and salute the men and women of the PNP for this game-changing accomplishment. This reflects the administration’s steadfast commitment [to] addressing illegal drugs, particularly in arresting big-time drug pushers.”
According to Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, Director of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG), the series of operations were carried out from Saturday afternoon until before dawn Sunday.
The first buy-bust operation was conducted around 4:45 p.m. of Saturday in Tondo, Manila, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the discovery of 990 kilos and 102 grams of suspected shabu worth P6.7 billion.
