Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola-wracked Liberia now in PHL By Priam F. Nepomuceno MANILA, Nov. 12 (PNA) --- The 108 Filipino peacekeepers, who served a tour of duty in Ebola-wracked Liberia, arrived at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City around 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. This was confirmed by Air Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya in an interview with the PNA. He said that the 108 peacekeepers, along with 24 Philippine National Police (PNP) members and one personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), are members of the 18th Philippine Contingent to Liberia. After arriving, the group left for Sangley Point, Cavite, on board four buses by 5:15 p.m. They are expected to arrive there before 8 p.m. The group arrived at the Villamor Air Base aboard a chartered UTAir flight. From Sangley Point, Cavite, a Navy ship will take them to Caballo Island early Thursday for their 21-day quarantine period. This is in compliance to our government’s drive for the country to remain Ebola Virus Disease-free, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gregorio Pio Catapang said. Our peacekeepers belong to the No Risk category of Ebola Infection. Their work is concentrated inside the force headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, as members of the mission’s support personnel, he added. Catapang said all Filipino peacekeepers in Liberia passed the Ebola Screening Test that was conducted by doctors of the United Nations Military Mission in Liberia. The clinical assessment was strictly required for peacekeepers who are due for repatriation. To the family members of our gallant peacekeepers, I would like to ask your patience for extending the absence of your loved ones. I have done everything to make their stay at the Island Paradise of Caballo, a very pleasant and memorable one, the AFP chief stressed. Both Smart and Globe Communications have expanded their cellular network coverage in order to provide telecom services for our hero-peacekeepers, Catapang added. Smart Communications has setup free wi-fi facility so that the peacekeepers can contact family members by allowing them to use Internet services with 3G signal. Recently, we have organized the Joint Task Group-Liberia led by Capt. Luzviminda Camacho as commander, in order to oversee the administrative requirements of our peacekeepers, the AFP chief stated. Catapang said the AFP is now working closely with the Department of Health’s Bureau of Quarantine; Health Emergency Management Bureau; and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine during their stay at the island. After the quarantine period, the AFP will schedule a hero’s welcome for all our gallant peacekeepers in recognition to their outstanding accomplishments while serving the United Nations, he said. (PNA) LAM/PFN
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:10:14 +0000
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