Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Thursday confirmed that a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) from the United States had skipped quarantine protocols and attended a party in Poblacion, Makati City.
In a radio interview, Puyat said that the woman, identified as Gwyneth Ann Chua, even boasted of having connections after she attended the party.
"Kasi nagtatanong yung mga kasamahan bakit kakadating lang niya the day before pero bakit daw nandun na daw siya sa party. Sabi niya marami daw siyang connection," she said.
[Because her companions asked her why she was able to attend the party when she just returned the other day. She said she has a lot of connections.]
It was, later on, found out that the woman tested positive for COVID-19. Her companions at the party also contracted the viral disease.
Puyat said Chua admitted skipping quarantine in Berjaya Makati Hotel.
Based on DOT-National Capital Region’s letter to Berjaya dated December 29, Chua checked into the hotel on Dec. 22, attended the party on Dec. 23, and tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 2
She added that the hotel lied when it reported that Chua stayed in their establishment since she checked in.
"Nagkalat na siya ng lagim. Nobody is really above the law because this is a health crisis. Dahil sa kapabayaan niya, nahawa niya yung mga kasama niya at as we speak, yung mga nahawaan niya, may, nahawaan pang ibang tao," Puyat continued.
The close contacts of the returning Filipina have already been traced and isolated, according to Puyat.
They also signed sworn affidavits and even shared TikTok videos that she was with them the day after she arrived.
