Top AFP, DoH officials visit Pinoy peacekeepers on Caballo Island

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 17): Top AFP, DoH officials visit Pinoy peacekeepers on Caballo Island

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and acting Health Secretary Janette Garin yesterday visited the 132 Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola virus-stricken Liberia who are undergoing 21-day quarantine period on Caballo Island in Cavite.

Catapang and Garin mingled with the peacekeepers, who are now allowed to roam around the island, only four days after they arrived there.

Garin said that she and the AFP updated the peacekeepers about the condition of their fellow peacekeeper who was evacuated to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) after developing fever on the second day of quarantine period.

“General Catapang and I visited our troops there (Caballo Island) and firstly we told them about the status of their fellow peacekeeper, and at the same time, we wanted to ensure they are all healthy,” said Garin.

For his part, Catapang said they mingled with the troops and developed a new way to greet each other –elbow to elbow.

The AFP chief said the peacekeepers remained in high spirits.

“They are high morale, the last time they have specified area (but) now they are allowed to roam around the whole island. There are no restrictions because we mingled there,” Catapang said.

“And we have a new style of greeting (demonstrated elbow to elbow),” he added.

The AFP chief said that elbow to elbow is allowed as reiterated assurance there is nothing to worry about Ebola virus.

Catapang said he and Garin personally visited and mingled with the peacekeepers to allay public fears of the deadly virus.

“We are happy that (we visited them) together with Secretary Garin to show that worrying sometimes is difficult to douse from the people’s mind but if they see us mingling, talking and joking around, sharing happy moment there,” Catapang said.

Garin echoed Catapang’s call not to “isolate” the peacekeepers, who served an extended 11-month tour of duty in Liberia.

“We should not stigmatize or ostracize them,” Garin said.

Catapang and Garin said that all of the 132 peacekeepers on Caballo Island are all doing well.

According to Garin, the other one, who was at RITM, is already improving based on his blood smear.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said that the AFP chief and Garin arrived at Caballo Island at around 1:30 p.m. and they left about 3 p.m.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/top-afp-doh-officials-visit-pinoy-peacekeepers-on-caballo-island