PH peacekeepers from Liberia to be quarantined in Tarlac camp

MANILA, Philippines – The 110 Filipino United Nations (UN) peacekeepers deployed to Ebola-hit Liberia are well and have not shown symptoms of infection, according to Colonel Roberto Ancan, the chief of the military’s peacekeeping operations.

“As of today, they are doing well,” Ancan said.

The all-Air Force team is scheduled to come home in less than two weeks, November 10, through UN-chartered flights. They will be brought to Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac, for the 3-week precautionary quarantine period, said Armed Forces chief  General Gregorio Catapang Jr. 

They have to pass medical tests before the military can give them a welcome party and be allowed to see their families.

“We’re well prepared. We’ve already anticipated this when the President ordered the pullout months ago. We’ve been planning for this,” said Catapang on Wednesday, October 29.

Camp O’Donnel hosts the Peacekeeping Operations Center (PKOC). Ancan said they will temporary hold office in the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City for the duration of the quarantine. 

Representatives from the Department of Health will supervise the 3-week quarantine procedure.

The Philippine military has been sending peacekeepers to various UN missions including Liberia, the Golan Heights, and Haiti. The Philippines has decided to pull out troops from Liberia because of the Ebola outbreak and from Golan because of the escalating Syrian conflict. – Rappler.com