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Murder and rape convict Antonio Sánchez shows his cell in this February 1999 photo. (Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo)
MANILA, Philippines – Former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sánchez tested negative for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, said the spokesman for the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Gabriel Chaclag.
“Negative swab test result niya,” Chaclag said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Thursday.
(His swab test result was negative.)
Chaclag said that Sánchez is still in New Bilibid Prison Hospital (NBP), but is already in stable condition.
“But he still has other ailments, so he is still confined to NBP Hospital. He said he’s stable and recovering, ”added Chaclag.
(But he has other ailments, so he is still confined to the NBP hospital. He is stable and recovering).
Sánchez underwent an RT-PCR test after he tested positive for coronavirus on the rapid test. He also had symptoms of the virus such as the flu and difficulty breathing.
“There is no dextrose,” Chaclag said. (No more dextrose).
Still, he said Sánchez has been diagnosed with moderate-risk community-acquired pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Under Secretary of Justice Markk Perete said that Sánchez will no longer be transferred to the Philippine General Hospital.
“His condition has improved, he will no longer be transferred to the PGH,” he told reporters.
Sánchez was sentenced to seven life terms (up to 40 years in prison) for the rape and murder of Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her boyfriend Allan Gómez in 1993.
Sánchez was initially taken to the Muntinlupa Hospital on Monday night, but since the hospital has no more room for a probable COVID patient, the prison authorities took him back to the national penitentiary.
Last year, Sánchez made headlines after the Justice Department announced that he could be released from jail by taking advantage of the good conduct time allowance program provided under the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance Act (GCTA).
The controversy surrounding the GCTA concession led the authorities to review its implementation to exclude those convicted of heinous crimes from coverage.
A Senate investigation into the matter also resulted in the revelation of other anomalies within the NBP, such as the “hospital pass for sale.”
JPV
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