Lapu-Lapu City SWAT, MPU headquarters locked down

The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Mobile Patrol Unit (MPU) headquarters in Lapu-Lapu City were ordered closed by the city’s chief of police due to COVID-19 transmission. CDN Digital photo | Futch Anthony Inso

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) chief Police Colonel Arnel Banzon has ordered the lockdown of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Mobile Patrol Unit (MPU) offices, after two of their personnel tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Banzon said that the two personnel came from the MPU, but he decided to lockdown the SWAT office as well because the two units are situated in the same building.

He said that the two personnel underwent a swab test on Monday, while the result came out just last night.

Banzon added that the two COVID-19 positive MPU personnel are now being isolated at the city’s isolation facility in Lapu-Lapu City College.

“Kana ron ipa-lockdown ko na, ilang opisina. This is just a preventive measure nato. Pero kadtong mga nag-positive, toa na sa isolation,” Banzon said.

This morning, 42 MPU personnel and SWAT personnel also underwent SWAB testing, in coordination with the City Health Office.

Banzon added that some of them have also manifested symptoms of the virus, such as fever.

The LCPO’s Station Health Unit is conducting contact tracing, to identify those who might have been exposed to the two positive MPU personnel.

“Naka-conduct nata ug contact tracing nato. Automatic mana siya. Kaning atoang Station Health Unit nato trained mani sa contact tracing,” he added.

Banzon said that the Station Health Unit is composed of six nurses and the city’s former contact tracers. /rcg