Philippine peacekeepers' quarantine ends

MANILA, Philippines - The 21-day quarantine period for the 133 Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola-stricken Liberia ended Tuesday with the military giving assurance that the troops remain free from the deadly virus.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said 132 of the 133 peacekeepers left the quarantine site in Caballo Island for Sangley Point via Navy vessel BRP Dagupan City at around 12 noon.

From Sangley Point, the peacekeepers were transported by military buses to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center in Quezon City for a check-up.

A peacekeeper who was suffering from hypertension was transferred from Caballo Island via two military buses to the AFP Medical Center last November 24.

“They (peacekeepers) have been isolated for more than 21 days so our peacekeepers are Ebola-free,” Cabunoc said in a press conference.  

“So far, everyone is doing fine,” he added.

Cabunoc said the peacekeepers who constitute the 18th Philippine Contingent to Liberia would undergo routine medical screening at the AFP Medical Center. The procedure, however, is not related to the Ebola outbreak.

“They (doctors) will just look at their health condition,” he added.

Cabunoc said the 108 soldiers of the peacekeeping team would be given a heroes’ welcome in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. are expected to witness the ceremony, which will coincide with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at the general headquarters.

The policemen and jail personnel who are part of the peacekeeping contingent will be honored separately by their respective units. 

Members of the peacekeepers will receive United Nations Service Medals for their contributions during their tour of duty that lasted for almost a year. Cabunoc said the military leadership has also prepared prices for the winners of friendly competitions like essay writing, photo contest and athletics.

A long break also awaits members of the Philippine contingent to allow them to spend time with their families during the holiday season.

Cabunoc explained that soldiers are allowed to go on vacation either during Christmas or New Year. In the case of the peacekeepers, they can go on break during the entire duration of the yuletide season.

“The break will serve as a reward for the peacekeepers,” Cabunoc said.

Members of the peacekeeping team said they are excited to be reunited with their loved ones.

“I am eagerly waiting to this day that we finish this quarantine period. I can’t wait to see my family during the hero’s welcome that is scheduled for us,” said Maj. Gerard Alvaran, one of the peacekeepers.

Alvaran said he enjoyed his stay in Caballo Island.

“Our stay was never boring because we had lots of activities including fun games, environmental protection activities and also the rare opportunity to discover the historic spots there,” he said.

Master Sergeant Freddie Mercado, the group’s first sergeant said that he kept himself fit during his stay in the island.

“I jogged every morning around the island during which I also had the chance to watch the beauty of the sunrise. I also participated in all the ball games to interact with my fellow peacekeepers,” he said.

SPO4 Shirley B. Alonzo, a member of the police peacekeepers, said that the quarantine period was not a waste of time.

“Our stay in the island was very productive. It also gave us an opportunity to show our creativity by making the island a better place by planting trees and conducting coastal cleanup,” she said.

The Philippines pulled out its peacekeepers in Liberia following the outbreak of the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 4,900 people.

The peacekeepers from Liberia were quarantined in Caballo, an area located 2.6 miles east of Corregidor that officials have described as “a paradise island.”

Four more soldiers who are part of the peacekeeping team arrived last Nov. 22 and are still undergoing quarantine at the AFP Medical Center. The four arrived home at a later date because they were tasked to watch over team’s equipment.