MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) condemned acts of harassment and violence against health care workers.

In a televised press conference Sunday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have received reports of harassment against some health workers.

"Mariin pong kinokondena ng ating kagawaran ang karahasan at reports at diskriminasyon sa ating health care workers," she said.

"Tayo po ay nakatanggap ng ilang reports na ang ating health care workers ay naha-harass at nagiging biktima ng krimen," Vergeire added.

Vergeire was referring to the case of a utility staff member of St. Louis Hospital in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, who was harassed.

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According to Vergeire, such acts could have caused serious damage to the victim.

She also called for an end to violence and harassment against health care workers.

"Sa panahon ng krisis, nananawagan po kami, itigil po natin ang karahasan. Itigil po natin ang diskriminasyon laban sa ating mga health care workers. Bagkus tayo po ay magtulungan para mas mapadali at mas mapalakas pa ang ating laban kontra COVID-19," Vergeire said.

Aside from harassment, some health care workers have also been discriminated in their places of residence due to the nature of their work.

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As of Sunday, the Philippines has a total of 1,418 COVID-19 cases, with 71 fatalities and 42 recoveries.

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Twelve Filipino doctors have also died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

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