MAASIN CITY- Several enlisted men in uniform of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from different stations of the province of Southern Leyte literally poured their blood out so that others, the dengue victims especially, can live longer.
On Monday, September 9, at least 50 policemen joined the mass bloodletting at the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office (SLPPO) through nurses and medics of the local health station and the Red Cross.
“The activity was in line with the call from the regional office. But instead of bringing our officers there, I suggested we do it here, and it was approved,” said P/Col. Nelson Eucogco, provincial PNP director.
Among those who donated blood were elements from the SLPPO, the mobile group, and two volunteers each from the municipal and city police stations, including non-uniformed personnel.
The accumulated blood will be donated to patients suffering from dengue anywhere in the province, this is the police way of sharing and contributing something to cushion the ill effects of the epidemic, Eucogco added.
A member of the local media, Dahlia Orit of Radio Filipinas-DYSL, donated blood herself, her second donation.
Meanwhile, the number of dengue cases province-wide rose to 711 as of September 5, up from 437 last month, data from the Provincial Health Services Office showed.
(LDL/MMP/PIA-8, Southern Leyte)