Video reunion only for arriving peacekeepers, kin

MANILA, Philippines - The families of returning Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola-stricken Liberia will no longer be allowed to go near their kin following the decision of military authorities to confine them in a Philippine Air Force (PAF) facility at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office chief, said the readjustment is the latest anti-Ebola measure approved by the AFP leadership prior to the arrival today of 108 United Nations Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia.

After almost a year of deployment in Liberia, the Filipino peacekeepers, mostly members of the Air Force, with 24 policemen, are expected to arrive at 5:45 p.m. today at Villamor Air Base aboard a UN-chartered flight from Monrovia.

“Their waiting families will no longer be allowed anywhere close to them. They will be confined inside the PAF Museum where they could witness the arrival of their loved ones through live video streaming that would be provided by the Air Force,” Cabunoc said.

Earlier the AFP declared a “no touch” policy between the returning peacekeepers and their immediate family members and welcoming friends. However, they will be allowed to see their loved ones 15 meters away.

From the air base, the troops would immediately board military buses that would transport them to a port in Cavite, the jump-off point for their trip to Caballo Island where they will be under quarantine for 21 days before they could be declared clear of Ebola.

The troops will be spending their first night at the Navy vessel as the ship is scheduled to arrive in Caballo on Thursday morning.

AFP chief Gen. Pio Catapang, who described Caballo as an island paradise, assured the families of the Filipino peacekeepers that their relatives would enjoy their stay on the island.

“They can swim, they can fish, engage in various sports and other activities,” Catapang said, adding that the island has Internet and cellphone signals provided by Smart telecoms to keep them connected all throughout the quarantine period.