12 HIV cases in Puerto Princesa - report

MANILA, Philippines - At least 12 cases of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been confirmed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the city health office there said.

State-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported that Dr. Juancho Monserate, city health office chief, confirmed the existence of the cases, identifying them as those who have engaged in unprotected sexual activities.

"Yes, we have recorded 12 HIV cases in Puerto Princesa, and they are males who have engaged in unprotected sexual activities with males also," the PNA report quoted Monserate as saying.

The HIV patients were referred to the San Lazaro Hospital, a government facility in Metro Manila for infectious and communicable diseases.

Monserate said the HIV patients can seek better intervention there for their condition.

The PNA report said all of the recorded cases are Filipinos, and none of them is a sex worker in Puerto Princesa.

It added that Monserate are now conducting "active finding" because they know there are more cases that need confirmation.

"Active finding means we really go out to look for them; not wait for them to come to our office to be examined," Monserate said in the PNA report.

"We know there are more cases; maybe they are just embarrassed to go to us to seek intervention. We want to help them, and they can come to us so we can explain to them their condition," he added.