Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) — An ambulance driver in Candelaria, Quezon suffered injuries from a gunshot fired by a neighbor, local police reported on Tuesday.
Sofronio Agno Ramilo, a 51-year-old ambulance driver at Peter Paul Medical Center of Candelaria Inc. (PPMCCI), was parking the hospital vehicle inside their subdivision when he was confronted by suspect Ramil Galeon Alcantara, the police report said.
Condemning the incident, the department ordered the police anew to ensure the safety of frontliners.
But Ramilo explained he was transporting hospital personnel and the ambulance is being disinfected regularly, the hospital added.
Alcantara reportedly fired to the ground, but the bullet ricocheted upwards and inflicted permanent damage to Ramilo’s hand, the police report said.
PPMCCI said that prior to the shooting, the suspect complained that the hospital ambulance should not be allowed inside the subdivision, alleging the vehicle carried patients infected with COVID-19.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday mandated the police and military to keep an eye out on anyone who harms health workers.
He is now under hospital care while Alcantara is under police custody and will face charges, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
Local governments were also commanded to disseminate correct information on the virus to avoid confusion, fear, and violence.
In related moves, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Manila city government separately issued pronouncements rejecting all forms of discrimination against COVID-19 frontliners and patients.
