Former Philippine National Police Chief General Guillermo Eleazar announced on Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19.

"Tonight, I received the RT-PCR result which showed that I am infected with the coronavirus for the first time," said Eleazar in a statement.

"I am asymptomatic and will continuously observe the home isolation protocol of the Department of Health until I am cleared to go out," he added.

The former PNP chief, who is running in the Senate race in the 2022 polls, then encouraged the public to get vaccinated to prevent the serious effects of COVID-19.

Last week, current PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Andres Centino revealed they also caught COVID-19.

Senator Ping Lacson, whose senate slate includes Eleazar, also tested positive for the disease.