Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo was found to have a suspected lung infection, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In an interview outside the Pasig City Jail on Monday, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said Guo underwent a medical examination before leaving the custodial facility.
Results indicated a possible ‘left lung infection’ although these were subject to confirmatory tests. Guo was later on found to be negative of tuberculosis.
Fajardo said Guo underwent medical and physical examination by the PNP General Hospital and forensic group as a matter of procedure before she was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
“During the medical examination, the doctor found a probable infection in her left lung,” Fajardo told reporters.
“So BJMP, upon receiving Alice Guo, will now have the disposition on how to treat this possible infection,” she added.
Citing information from the PNP General Hospital, Fajardo said Guo probably developed lung infection on Friday or over the weekend. Doctors attributed it to stress and fatigue.
The former mayor attended marathon hearings in both the Senate and the House of Representatives last week in relation to her alleged involvement in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and escape in July.
Meanwhile, BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said Guo will temporarily stay at an isolation facility, where three tuberculosis patients are currently recovering.
“It’s a small isolation cell around 10 square meters. The doctor’s advice is to co-confirm the findings with his X-ray and to undergo Gene-Xpert testing, the other test is negative,” Bustinera disclosed.
“Gene-Xpert lab test will be administered within the day. This test is made to confirm tuberculosis impression in the X-ray result of Alice Guo. If the result is negative for TB, she will be housed in Cell No. 3, which currently houses 43 persons deprived of liberty (PDL),” he added.
Guo will eventually join 40 other detainees in a cell upon her recovery from the said lung infection.
Bustinera said Guo was already wearing BJMP pants, a yellow PDL shirt, and a mask.
