MANILA, Aug. 11 (PNA) — The Palace expects the United Nations (UN) to keep the 113 Filipino peacekeepers in the West African nation of Liberia safe from the threat of the Ebola virus.
“The peacekeeping force is under the UN. We would expect the UN to ensure that the peacekeeping forces under its jurisdiction are amply protected,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters during a press briefing on Monday.
He said it is not known how far the peacekeepers are from areas hit by the epidemic.
“But I would expect measures taken by the United Nations to ensure the safety of its peacekeeping forces,” he reiterated.
Liberia, along with Sierra Leone and Guinea, is at the center of the Ebola outbreak, which has already claimed some 1,000 lives.
According to reports, the Filipino peacekeepers are expected to return from their tour of duty in Liberia in September or October this year.
United Nations peacekeepers are monitoring the ceasefire agreement in Liberia, following the end of a civil war in 2003.
Lacierda said the Department of Health will attend to the soldiers upon their return from Africa. (PNA)