By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director, Police Colonel Romy Palgue, denied reports that the Escalante City Police Station jail inmate died last week due to coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.
The inmate identified as 20-year-old Rajie Yap was jailed in the said police station for frustrated homicide charge.
Based on a report released by the Escalante City police, Yap started complaining of stomach pains last Thursday, May 6.
He was then confined at the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital in the city on Friday morning, May 7, but he passed away in the afternoon.
According to Palgue, Yap underwent RT-PCR testing and tested negative for COVID-19.
He added that the inmate died due to acute respiratory failure./DGB, WDJ