(Eagle News) — Philippine National Police Chief Guillermo Eleazar has ordered a probe into reports of hoarding of oxygen tanks and other medical supplies amid the continuing threat of COVID-19.
In a statement, the PNP said PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar tasked the Cebu City Police and the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to closely coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry in the area for the probe after Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama called on them for help.
Rama earlier said the COVID-19 situation in the area was a serious concern, as he called on private hospitals not to hoard oxygen tanks.
“The national government should direct DTI and I have also been telling the police the marching order [to] assist DTI to avoid hoarding,” he had said.
According to Eleazar, the police will also check if there are such incidents in Metro Manila.
“Ngayon natin mas kailangan ng sapat na suplay ng oxygen tanks dahil sa tumataas na bilang ng COVID-19 cases dahil na rin sa mas nakahahawang Delta variant,” Eleazar said.
“Hindi biro ang sitwasyon natin ngayon. Mga buhay ang nakasalalay sa sapat na suplay ng oxygen tanks. Mas kailangan natin ngayon ang pagkakaisa para pagtulungang mapigilan ang pagdami pa ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa,” Eleazar added.