By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police officers assigned in the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) have decided to defer their Christmas parties this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

NOPPO director Police Colonel Romy Palgue said even though there will be no parties this year, he has nonetheless advised all departments and stations to still set up their Christmas decorations.

Palgue said the cancellation of the Christmas party was made in order to avoid violating the province’s health protocols.

He has also confirmed that NOPPO has recorded another new case of COVID-19 among their personnel.

Palgue said the new infection involves a cop assigned at the Cadiz City Police Station. The provincial director has not provided any more information about the cop’s status, although it is confirmed that the police officer had already been quarantined.

The NOPPO director added he is hoping there will be no more infection among their personnel.

In all, NOPPO has 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases, although most of them have already recovered from the disease. The provincial police force has also confirmed one fatality among their ranks due to the coronavirus./DGB, WDJ