The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday two of its policemen have died after being infected with the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The fatalities are policemen assigned in Laguna and Metro Manila, the PNP said in a statement.
The first fatality was a 46-year-old officer who died on March 27, with his COVID-19 result released only a week later.
The second one died on Thursday, April 2.   The PNP said the patient experienced high fever last March 19 and was admitted to a nearby hospital. He was  later tested positive for COVID-19.
The families have been assured of social benefits and “full financial support,” PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said.
The PNP said 13 personnel have tested positive for the disease, 209 were regarded as persons under investigation (PUIs) while 1,600 were considered persons under monitoring (PUMs).
A total of nine PNP personnel labeled as PUIs have been admitted to the national police’s quarantine facility – the Kiangan Billeting Center – where they would undergo self-quarantine.
The Philippines has recorded on Friday 385 more confirmed positive COVID-19 Â cases, bringing the total to 3,018.
The Department of Health (DOH), as of 4 p.m., said 29 new deaths were also recorded, bringing the fatalities to 136 deaths.
The DOH also said there was also one patient who recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 52.
Luzon has been placed on enhanced community quarantine, keeping people indoors while suspending school, transport and work.
Health workers and other frontliners, such as police officers, meanwhile continue to go on duty amid the virus threat./Stacy Ang
