Mayor Sara Z. Duterte warned Dabawenyos on Monday against people posing as City Health Office (CHO) employees offering disinfection services in the homes of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients.

In a radio interview, Mayor Sara said the city government is not offering such services unless requested and approved by the CHO.

“We remind everyone that if someone knocks on your door and offer the disinfection services, it is not coming from us,” Duterte said.

Mayor Sara issued the warning after information reaching her office indicated that several Covid-19 positive patients who are currently in isolation are receiving calls from persons posing as CHO personnel, offering them to disinfect their homes.

Apart from the bogus disinfecting agents, she also warned Dabawenyos about individuals claiming to be working with CHO selling rapid and antigen testing kits.

“In the event that somebody would sell something like that claiming he or she works for the city government, please report it to the authorities,” she said.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, CHO chief, also issued a similar appeal.

“Be very careful of those who want to take advantage of the situation. Report immediately to the Police or Public Safety Office,” Villafuerte said.

Angel Sumagaysay, head of the Public Security and Safety Command Center, also warned that “these alleged calls may be a scenario perpetrated by syndicates aiming to scout, and subsequently rob houses that they are supposed to be disinfecting.”

“This could be a modus operandi of insane people who are taking advantage of the situation by conducting disinfection in the houses of those who are quarantined,” Sumagaysay said. (PNA)