By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, Oct. 14 (PNA)– The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has started repatriating its 110-strong peacekeeping contingent to Liberia amid the worsening Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
Ebola deaths in West Africa, which includes Liberia, has hit the 4,000 mark.
“The tentative date of their return to the Philippines is Nov. 10,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said.
Proper protocols will be observed upon their return to the Philippines.
“They will be put into quarantine for 21 days for monitoring purposes in compliance to the established guidelines of the Department of Health,” Catapang stressed.
The AFP chief said that they still looking for a suitable quarantine area that has proper and sufficient facilities that can accommodate the 110-strong contingent.
“Should our peacekeepers be declared safe after the 21-day quarantine, they will be given a break and an opportunity to go back to their families, after which they will report to the Philippine Air Force, their mother unit,” Catapang added. (PNA)