MANILA, Philippines — A Filipina traveler who skipped quarantine protocols last December pleaded guilty before the Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court and was fined P20,000.
Gwyneth Anne Chua, known as ‘Poblacion Girl’, was accused of violating Republic Act 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”.
When Judge Maureen Rubio-Marquez asked for Chua’s plea, she pleaded “guilty,” according to Assistant City Prosecutor Rafael Rodrigo Esguerra.
“In fact, she apologized for the hassle she caused,” he said.
Chua, her parents and six other people including staff of the Berjaya Hotel were charged for violating a public health law, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
The complaint was filed by the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office. It cited sections of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, as well as of its Implementing Rules and Regulations as those that the nine respondents have violated.
Authorities believe that Chua infected about 15 people after skipping isolation during the holidays.
Source: ABS CBN News