Peacekeepers from Liberia to be quarantined in Tarlac

The Filipino peacekeepers who will be home from Ebola-hit Liberia next month will be quarantined at a military camp in Tarlac province, Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said Wednesday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines maintains a Peacekeeping Operations Center (PKOC) in Camp O’Donnel in Capas town, and this is where the 112 peacekeepers will spend their 21-day mandatory quarantine period, Catapang said.

“The PKOC is being prepared,” he said. “The PKOC personnel will be moving out and the peacekeepers from Liberia will be the ones occupying that area so that they will be isolated.”

PKOC chief Col. Roberto Ancan said a small number of PKOC personnel will be left at the PKOC headquarters. “Some of my men will be left behind. We will be at my liaison office in Camp Aguinaldo,” he said.

AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said military medical teams will be supervising the quarantine procedures.

The peacekeepers, whose arrival is expected on November 10, will undergo physical checkup, Catapang said.

The Philippines decided to send home the peacekeepers due to the threat of Ebola virus, which has claimed thousands of lives in West Africa.

Ancan, who is constantly in touch with the peacekeepers in Liberia, said none of the 112 has been reported infected by the dreaded virus.

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