Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong has revealed that actor Arjo Atayde left the city and breached existing protocols even after testing positive for COVID-19.
In an interview on RNG-Luzon, Magalong said that Atayde has tested positive for the virus together with 9 others while filming a movie.
Atayde’s group has been shooting in the city for two months now.
There are 100 people who are part of the film’s production team.
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“Nag-positive yung isang grupo na nagsu-shooting dito, yung grupo nila Mr. Atayde. They committed to us na magkakaroon sila ng bubble, pero di nangyari. Nagkataon pala na may mga tao sila na umuuwi sa lugar, at pagbalik, hindi nagtri-triage,” he said.
The production team did not also fulfill its commitment of monthly testing.
“Tapos yung monthly testing na commitment nila, hindi nagawa. So, eto nangyari ngayon. There are 10 people, sa grupo nila na 100, na nag-positive,” Magalong said.
The mayor said that he texted Atayde and the actor said that he is asymptomatic.
“Positive siya. Kaya lang bigla siya umalis kahapon without our knowledge, claiming na siya lang daw ang asymptomatic. At yung mga kasama niya, asymptomatic, iniwanan na lang niya…” Magalong said.
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“May potential na puwede siya maka-infect ng iba dahil sa ginawa niya. I’m in touch with him. Binibigyan ko lang siya ng instructions na, ‘Make sure na lahat ng tao mo walang lalabas, walang aalis. Only to find out na iniwanan na pala niya at nakaalis na siya,” he added.
Magalong has ordered to stop the shooting of the film in the city.
“Pero meron namang mga commitments iyan. Nag-usap kami. There should be commitments. Kailangan nilang i-deliver yung kanilang commitment. Strictly, they have to comply sa mga pinag-usapan,” Magalong said.
Atayde has yet to respond to the accusations and it’s unclear if he will be held liable for leaving despite being infected with the virus. (TDT)
