Director of PRO – 7 Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro has raised the idea of tapping rumor mongers to help the government expand its contact tracing capability.
“I heard a story last night about this ‘tsismosa brigade’. They could be a good source of (information). I think it was in Bulacan. It was said the help of these ‘tsismosas’ is being sought for contact tracing. So maybe, instead of rumor-mongering, they can do something to help,” he said.
He further stated that it is also important to have the community involved in stemming the tide of the coronavirus disease and not solely put the responsibility in the authorities.
“This health emergency crisis in not only the job or responsibility of the police, the military or the local government. This is a responsibility of every Sugboanon, Boholano, Ilonggo, Ilocano, Bisaya and all Filipino citizens.”
However, his remark did not sit well with netizens for it seemed like the government is making fun of an alarming and serious situation.
Also, they viewed that putting credible weight in gossipers for contact tracing made it more unreliable.
Ang susunod na chapter sa libro ng kabobohan… https://t.co/QoIMT0RQUK
— Winlove Mojica, MD (@theskinsensei) July 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/mor1019chacha/status/1285790092963966976?s=20
https://twitter.com/econcepcion/status/1285769181854498816?s=20
Science-based approach left the building https://t.co/HqfxK6KN7a
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) July 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/leeleefram/status/1285809133384396801?s=20
https://twitter.com/econcepcion/status/1285769181854498816?s=20
Delikado Yan, mga chismosa, naninira ng mga tao, baka yung mga walang Covid, yun ang ituro nila.
— Jeffrey Mollaneda (@jtmollaneda1) July 22, 2020
Contract tracing be like : mars narinig ko kay beshewap na si kemerlu umalis daw ng bansa pagbalik nagpatuloy ng afam sa bahay. Tapos nag party party, kasama ata sina ano..
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP!!
— . (@imfree_r) July 22, 2020
Next : DOH will seek expert advice and assistance from The Mambabarang Witchcraft and Sorcery Association of the philippines (MWSA) to fight Covid-19
— GameboyAdvance (@OnePlayerGame) July 22, 2020
In a recent press statement, Ferro defended his claim and clarified that his intention was to maximize the cooperation of the community in tracing possible COVID-19 cases.
He also corrected the usage of his term that instead of the ‘tsismosa brigade’ it should be ‘magpakabana brigade’ which means to actively be involved or participate.
He said, “The fight against COVID-19 is not only the responsibility of the police, military, LGUs (local government units), health workers and government but a responsibility of all Filipinos.
“The fight against COVID-19 should be everyone’s concern. Having an information brigade will form a human CCTV (closed-circuit television) against COVID-19,” he added.
As the country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the government puts contact tracing as one of the ways to control the rise of the disease. And recently, the Department of Health (DOH) welcomed the creation of contact tracing apps made by local software companies to help contact tracers with their contact tracing tasks.
These apps include C.L.E.A.R.and MyEGuard that are equipped with functionalities for monitoring coronavirus cases.
