CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Businessman and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. Vice-Chairman Rene Romero welcomed Tuesday the decision of higher Philippine authorities to quarantine in an isolated island the returning the 112 Filipino peacekeepers scheduled for pullout from Ebola-stricken Liberia, instead of the Philippine Peacekeeping Operations Center (PKOC) at Camp O’ Donnel in Capas Tarlac.
Earlier, Romero and Capas Mayor Antonio “TJ” Rodriguez had appealed to President Benigno Aquino III and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang to “reconsider” the decision anmd canceling the plan of isolating the hero-peacekeepers in Tarlac because of the negative impact it may have in Central Luzon’s health, business and tourism.
"I have been informed that our officials have reconsidered their position upon hearing our and the people of Tarlac's appeal. We are very happy about that and truly appreciate it," Romero said, noting Catapang's statement that the peacekeepers will be quarantined and "treated to a well-deserved vacation in an island paradise" when they come home between November 10 and 14 via a Russian airliner.
Although the AFP has yet to name the island where the peacekeepers would be isolated, Romero said the Filipino soldiers will be more comfortable in an island in the country where they would not have to worry about their “situation,” and of the fears of locals during the three-week quarantine period.
"We understand their predicament and that our Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia also risked their lives. They are heroes. But we also have to look at the situation in a larger picture," he added.
Rodriguez on Monday said he was advised by President Benigno Aquino III about the use of Capas as a quarantine area. He was later joined in the appeal by fellow mayors and the Tarlac provincial government led by Governor Victor Yap who issued a resolution opposing the isolation plan, citing as a priority the safety of Tarlaqueños and folks from nearby provinces like Pampanga.
Catapang, for his part, said in an interview that "while Ebola is not airborne, we do not want to unnecessarily burden the people of Tarlac."
Meanwhile, Colonel Roberto Ancan, Commander of the Filipino peacekeepers, reiterated that the soldiers are “doing well” as he hopes that not one of them contracted the Ebola virus which has left less than 5,000 people dead. (JTD)