AGAIN? | AFP, DOH in another apparent breach of Ebola quarantine protocol

From InterAksyon (Nov 25): AGAIN? | AFP, DOH in another apparent breach of Ebola quarantine protocol

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Health (DOH) are back in the spotlight for apparently having kept mum about the arrival of four remaining peacekeepers from Ebola hotspot Liberia, who were not brought straight to Caballo Island for quarantine but to AFP Medical Center in V. Luna in Quezon City.

About a week before, AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and DOH Acting Secretary Janette Garin were called out for breaking protocols of the government's Ebola-free program when they visited "elbow-to-elbow" the peacekeepers in Caballo Island.

Both officials just shrugged off the controversy.

This time, according to Col. Roberto Ancan, commander of the Peacekeeping Operations Center (PKOC), the four soldiers arrived via commercial plane at around 11 p.m. on November 22.

Ancan declined to elaborate as to why the peacekeepers were directly brought to the AFPMC instead of Caballo Island, where the first batch of 108 soldiers, 24 police officers and a jail officer are currently being quarantined for 21 days before they could be allowed to go home to rejoin their families.

"Let the DOH answer you on that question," Ancan said, adding that all four soldiers were enlisted personnel who had to stay behind in Liberia as they were tasked to wrap up logistical arrangements with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for transportation of military equipment back home.

In camp Aguinaldo, AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc indicated that the four soldiers will be quarantined at AFPMC based on DOH guidance.

"They are all confined together in one room. We will let DOH articulate the details of their quarantine situation and the duration," Cabunoc said.

Meanwhile, Cabunoc disclosed that a peacekeeper from Caballo Island was rushed to AFPMC Monday night complaining of chest pains, adding that the Philippine Navy, which is in charge of the Caballo quarantine arrangements, will have the details.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99868/again--afp-doh-in-another-apparent-breach-of-ebola-quarantine-protocol