Cop died from pneumonia, not vax

During the screening process, he did not divulge his comorbidity as he was obese and a hypertensive person

Manila Police District (MPD) chief P/Gen. Leo Francisco clarified that one of his men who died days after receiving the coronavirus vaccine was certified to have succumbed to “acute respiratory failure secondary to severe pneumonia.”

In an interview with Daily Tribune, Francisco stressed he did not state P/SSG Cenen Evangelista died because of the vaccine.

He pointed out the fatality was already suffering from various comorbidities and had been diagnosed earlier with Covid-19.

“Based on investigation, PSSG Evangelista was given a dose of vaccine on 31 March, but was already Covid-19 positive (asymptomatic). He tried to conceal it during the screening process, a step-by-step procedure before any individual can be given a dose, but he did not divulge his comorbidity as he was obese and a hypertensive person,” Francisco explained.

“Just to clarify. I did not blame Sinovac. We were all vaccinated with Sinovac but nothing happened to us,” he added.

Evangelista died on 7 April, but four days before his death, he isolated himself in his room. It was only after a call from his wife that he was convinced to come out so that his relatives could bring him to a hospital.

Francisco added that obesity and hypertension seem to be a deadly comorbidity, since another MPD member also succumbed to pneumonia associated with Covid-19.

Evangelista had been in the service for 35 years and was nearing retirement at the time of his death.

Francisco also lauded the effort of Police Station 3 after its police officers who contracted Covid and are now under quarantine have been provided with a supply of oxygen by the station.

Meanwhile, the Caloocan local government will continue to monitor the condition of Fredy Totanis, who reportedly had an adverse effect after being inoculated with the vaccine last 29 March 2021.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Department of Health said that, after a thorough investigation, the vaccine had nothing to do with Totanis’ condition.

Despite this incident, the Caloocan government ensures that everyone who will be vaccinated at the mass vaccination centers will undergo thorough screening, counseling and monitoring.