Police going after those selling plasma to COVID-19 patients

Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of PRO-7. | CDN Digital file photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines— Police in Central Visayas are going after those who are selling good plasma that can help treat those who are suffering from severe cases of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, the director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), told the media during a call conference on Wednesday morning, August 5, 2020, that they are now investigating reports about individuals  selling good plasma to Covid-19 patients.

Read: Newly developed treatment for COVID-19 unveiled in Cebu

“It’s illegal. It is a criminal act. It is like selling your body part,” said Ferro.

According to Ferro, the selling of plasma to those who need it is such a terrible act coming from someone who just recovered from their battle against Covid-19.

This is one of the reasons why he is promoting plasma donation among his men to send a message to the public that plasma should be donated, not sold.

Read: Soldiers in Cebu donate plasma for COVID-19 patients

“That’s why I’m promoting the donation of plasma, so that we can tell the people that this gift from God is a gift of life. This is a God-given gift, it should not be for sale,” he said.

Ferro said he has directed all station commanders in the region to monitor closely in their respective areas of responsibility if the selling of plasma is being done there.

As of now, they are still awaiting the results of their investigation. Those caught doing this will be charged appropriately. /bmjo