QUEZON, Philippines—Four alleged members of the Waray-Waray kidnap- for-ransom group were killed in an encounter with the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) in Quezon City.

An entrapment operation was conducted by the PNP-AKG and Quezon City Police District against the kidnappers of two Chinese nationals.

The two victims were abducted in front of UP Town Center on Thursday (January 21).

PNP-AKG Spokesperson PMaj. Ronaldo Lumactod said the operation led to a gunfight.

“Very daring, lalaban talaga sa pulis. Hindi sila magpapatalo o sususko kasi pagpasok ng kapulisan sa lugar ng Holy Spirit winagwagan agad ang kapulisan hoping matakot ang ating kapulisan,” he said.

Authorities said the four suspects have not yet been identified but initial reports indicate that they are members of the Wara-Waray kidnap- for-ransom group operating in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

Police recovered from the suspects various caliber of firearms and one grenade.

One of the victims, Lee Ching, was rescued by authorities while Zhi Fu, the second victim, was able to escape and seek help from authorities. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino who contracted the UK variant of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has now tested negative for the virus based on his latest swab test, the Quezon City government said Friday.

Dr. Rolly Cruz, head of the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU), said physicians at the quarantine facility where the patient is currently staying will make a final assessment before he is declared fully recovered.

“After that, he would be allowed to reunite with his family and reintegrate with the community,” Cruz was quoted as saying in a statement.

However, the patient will remain under strict health monitoring for at least two weeks, he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier reported that the patient, a resident of Barangay Kamuning, returned to the country from Dubai with his girlfriend on January 7. Upon arrival, he underwent the mandatory testing and 14-day quarantine.

After he tested positive for COVID-19, his sample was sent to the Philippine Genome Center for analysis and was later found that he contracted the UK coronavirus variant.

The DOH on Wednesday reported that the patient’s mother and girlfriend, together with 14 other passengers on his flight also tested positive for COVID-19. Their test results were also sent for genome sequencing to determine if they were infected with the new variant.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated her warning on residents against discrimination, saying it is punishable under the city’s existing anti-discrimination Ordinance.

Belmonte issued the warning after some workers residing in the said barangay complained of discrimination in their workplaces.

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has placed four new areas under special concern lockdown following an increase in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases after the holiday season.

The four areas include:

• No. 62 Agno Extension in Barangay Tatalon; 
• No. 1 Salary Street in Barangay Sangandaan; 
• No. 54 Interior, Magsalin Street in Barangay Apolonio Samson; 
• 9C, 9D, 97 La Felonila Street in Barangay Damayang Lagi

The Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU) imposes special concern lockdowns in areas where clustering and possible community transmission have been observed, in order to curtail the further spread of the virus.

“These granular lockdowns are our immediate and proactive response to control the situation in these areas,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“Since last year, our special concern lockdowns have been proven effective in controlling the spread of the disease among neighbors and families,” she added.

60 families are affected in the Agno Extension in Barangay Tatalon while Salary street in Barangay Sangandaan has 5 families under strict quarantine. 

In Magsalin street, the CESU has identified 14 index cases with 60 families under lockdown while 150 families are affected in La Felonila Street.

CESU Head Dr. Rolly Cruz said all families in the said areas will undergo swab testing in order to identify other infected individuals. 

However, even if they tested negative, all will still have to finish the 14-day mandatory quarantine period to check if they will develop any symptoms during the said period, he added.

The four new areas are in addition to the two areas earlier placed under special concern lockdown namely MCP HOA and a portion of the Pingkian 1, Central B in Barangay Pasong Tamo.

They have been under lockdown since January 7 and January 14, respectively.