DOH to AFP: Shut up on quarantined peacekeepers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has reportedly ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to shut up and stop issuing statements regarding the quarantine of the five Filipino UN peacekeepers from Ebola-plagued Liberia who are now confined at a military hospital Quezon City.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. directed him to refer to the health department all issues concerning the ongoing quarantine of the five UN peacekeepers outside of Caballo Island in Manila Bay.

At present, five Filipino peacekeepers are confined at the AFP Medical Center, four of them having arrived only last Saturday night from Monrovia, Liberia.

Another peacekeeper was airlifted from Caballo Island to the AFP Medical Center last Monday evening after the soldier complained of chest pains and difficulty in breathing.

“Information regarding the condition and whatever is happening to our peacekeepers while undergoing quarantine would be discussed by the DOH. So whatever updates concerning our peacekeepers undergoing quarantine is with the DOH,” Cabunoc said.

The first batch of peacekeepers, composed of 108 Air Force personnel, 24 policemen and a jail officer, were placed on 21-day quarantine on Caballo Island off Cavite upon their arrival last Nov. 13 from Liberia.

Cabunoc earlier said that the DOH made the decision to quarantine the four recently arrived peacekeepers, composed of two Air Force officials and two enlisted personnel, at the AFP Medical Center.

The four soldiers were the last to leave Liberia since they had to supervise the return to the Philippines of the military equipment that the Filipino contingent used during their extended 11-month UN peacekeeping mission in Monrovia.

Cabunoc said that preparations are now ongoing for the hero’s welcome to be accorded to the 137 peacekeepers after the 21-day quarantine period is over.

He said the ceremonies would be held at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 – the 21st day of the quarantine. The troops would receive UN medals.

The scheduled hero’s welcome would coincide with the lighting of a giant Christmas tree in Camp Aguinaldo, Cabunoc said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Bureau of Quarantine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are waiting for the seven Filipino workers returning from Ebola-plagued West Africa.

Ramon Barlisan of the quarantine bureau said the DOH recommended that the returning workers be placed under quarantine for 21 days when they arrive on Dec. 1.

“We will quarantine them for another 21 days, baka dito sa Pilipinas pumutok iyong fever,” Barlisan said.

He said the workers would be brought to the former administration building of Nayong Pilipino near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the government will subsidize the necessary requirements.

“They will definitely be with their families before Christmas,” Barlisan added.

The seven workers were already briefed regarding the quarantine plan, Barlisan added. –With Rudy Santos