Medical findings indicate that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo may be suffering from a lung infection, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Joseph Bustinera revealed this during an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Monday.
“Kaya lang po doon sa medical na ibinigay ng [Philippine National Police], sa X-ray ay findings po na possible lung infection,” Bustinera explained, referring to the medical exam conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP), which found signs of a possible lung infection based on an X-ray.
As a precautionary measure, Guo is being housed in a cell designated for inmates with tuberculosis (TB). “Ngayon po ang available lang po kasing selda doon ay may naka-isolate din na TB patient so doon po muna siya,” Bustinera noted. He explained that Guo would temporarily stay with three other inmates who are being treated for TB. “Sabi naman po ng doctor namin almost one month nang naggagamutan yung mga naka-isolate doon sa TB kaya doon po muna siya ihahalo para to protect din yung general population,” he added. According to Bustinera, the decision to isolate her was made to protect the general inmate population.
Guo is set to undergo a sputum test to confirm if she is indeed suffering from tuberculosis. “Sa ngayong araw po, ongoing na po, kinukuha na yung kanyang sputum collection o laway para ipa-check na sa laboratory at kung malaman natin na negative ay ihalo siya sa general population,” Bustinera said. If the results come back negative, Guo will be placed with the rest of the inmates.
Initially, Guo was scheduled to be transferred to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory, which houses 44 inmates. Her transfer from the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, to the Pasig City Jail took place at 9:14 a.m. on Monday, with her convoy leaving Camp Crame at 8:49 a.m.
Despite her transfer, Guo’s camp expressed concerns over her security, hoping that she would remain in PNP custody. The Pasig City Regional Trial Court-Branch 167, which is handling her non-bailable case of qualified human trafficking, ordered the transfer.