Pinoy peacekeepers in Liberia free of Ebola

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine peacekeeping contingent in Liberia tested negative for Ebola virus disease, but will continue to undergo quarantine upon their return to the country tomorrow.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said 108 of the 112 soldiers in the contingent passed the Ebola screening test, one of the requirements before they are sent back to the Philippines. The test was conducted by the United Nations.

Four of the 112 peacekeepers were not included in the screening because they were watching over their team’s vehicles, generators and office supplies.

Col. Roberto Ancan, chief of the Armed Forces Peacekeeping Operations Center, said the four soldiers serve as the “rear party” and would not join their 108 colleagues who are scheduled to return to the Philippines on Nov. 11.

The four will facilitate the transport of equipment once the other peacekeepers have left.

Cabunoc said the 108 peacekeepers would still undergo a three-week quarantine in Caballo Island, an area located 2.6 miles east of Corregidor.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has ordered the Joint Task Group Liberia to provide the peacekeepers the needed medical and recreational facilities.

The military will provide Internet access and cable television to the peacekeepers, who will be given heroes’ welcome once they are done with the quarantine.

“(The quarantine area) is well-equipped. I sent two 250kv generators to ensure that there is electricity in the whole island,” Ancan said. “They won’t be bored.”

The military initially planned to quarantine the peacekeepers at the Armed Forces Peacekeeping Operations Center in Capas, Tarlac.

But the plan was abandoned amid criticisms by local officials who are concerned about its effect on the town’s health and tourism.

The Philippines decided to pull out its peacekeepers in Liberia following the outbreak of the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 4,900 persons.

Raps await people behind hoaxes

Meanwhile, criminal charges await persons behind hoaxes about the Ebola virus’ entry into the country.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said this yesterday as she confirmed that she has ordered an investigation into the hoaxes upon request of the Department of Health (DOH).

“We’re looking into that. I am tasking the Office of Cybercrime of (the Department of Justice) and the Anti-Cybercrime Division of (the National Bureau of Investigation) to investigate that,” she said in a text message.

The DOJ chief explained that the sources of the hoaxes that circulated in social networking sites last week could be liable under two penal laws.

She cited Presidential Decree 90 of 1973, which penalizes rumor mongering and spreading false information. Since the crime was committed online, it would also fall under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“Under Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, all crimes defined and penalized by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, if committed by, through and with the use of information and communications technologies are covered by the relevant provisions of said law,” De Lima said.

She noted that those who shared the original posts of the hoaxes technically aided in the spread of false information and could therefore be also held liable.

The DOH earlier expressed alarm over the hoaxes that recently triggered online panic.

The DOH already clarified that an online report that surfaced over Viral Ninja (safeurlpath.com) – quoting a DOH employee named Gemma Sheridan that 18 Ebola cases had been confirmed in Quezon City – was not true.

The DOH said it had no employee named Gemma Sheridan as claimed in the report and the website was a hoax. – With Edu Punay