The 133-strong Philippine contingent who served in the United Nations mission in the Ebola-stricken Liberia are home.
The 108 all-Air Force members of the 18th Philippine Peacekeeping
Contingent to Liberia arrived at the Villamor Air Base around 5 p.m.
aboard a UN-chartered UTair Aviation from Monrovia, Liberia.
Also in the same flight are 24 Philippine National Police (PNP)
personnel who served as UN Police and a member of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP) who served as UN staff officer.
The troops, who arrived in their Battle Dress Attire (BDA), went
through thermal scanning after they disembarked from the aircraft.
A brief arrival ceremony was held at the Villamor grandstand before
the troops were led to three waiting buses that transported them to
Sangley Point in Cavite. From there, a Philippine Navy vessel brought
them to Caballo Island for their 21-day quarantine.
The troops all passed an Ebola screening test conducted by UN doctors prior to their repatriation.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they have to be
placed under isolation for 21 days as part of protocol before they can
be reunited with their families. This is also in keeping with the
government’s drive to keep the country Ebola-free.
The arrival of the troops was beamed live to the reception center on
the second floor of the PAF museum where their respective families and
media were waiting.
The families said they understood the protocol and were happy to see the troops on screen.
The AFP said the peacekeepers will be given a hero’s welcome after their 21-day quarantine period is lifted.
The troops all passed an Ebola screening test conducted by UN doctors prior to their repatriation.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they have to be
placed under isolation for 21 days as part of protocol before they can
be reunited with their families. This is also in keeping with the
government’s drive to keep the country Ebola-free.
The arrival of the troops was beamed live to the reception center on
the second floor of the PAF museum where their respective families and
media were waiting.
The families said they understood the protocol and were happy to see the troops on screen.
The AFP said the peacekeepers will be given a hero’s welcome after their 21-day quarantine period is lifted.
The peacekeepers were deployed to Liberia in December last year for a
six-month tour of duty but their stay was extended by UN officials.
In August, the government announced the repatriation of the peacekeepers from Liberia due to the threat of Ebola virus.
Peacekeepers serving in the Golan Heights were repatriated last
September because of the increasing violence between Syrian government
and rebel forces.
Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said a Civil Aviation Authority of
the Philippines (CAAP) is imposing a “no-fly zone” at the Caballo
Island.
The Navy, on the other hand, will also ensure security in the waters around the island.
“The navy will be the one to ensure water security 1,000 yards before reaching the Caballo Island,” said Arevalo.
During the troops’ 21-day stay at the island they will have access to internet.
AFP Peacekeeping Operation Center (PKOC) head Col. Roberto Ancan said
two 250 KV generators have been installed to ensure electricity in
Caballo Island.
