Catapang thanks WHO for easing Ebola fears

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang on Friday visited the World Health Organization-Philippines office to express his gratitude for its support of his controversial decision to visit the 132 Filipino peacekeepers who are under quarantine on Caballo island.

Catapang handed his “thank you” letter to WHO senior representatives who briefed him about the Ebola virus during their 30-minute meeting.

Catapang and acting Health Secretary Janette Garin drew flak for supposedly breaching protocol on the quarantine of the peacekeepers who recently returned from Ebola-stricken Liberia.

Catapang and Garin, along with other senior military and health officials, went to the island without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), raising fears that they may have been infected with the virus after mingling with the peacekeepers.

Catapang said that according to the WHO officials, the PPE is only needed when dealing with persons who already show symptoms of Ebola.

He said none of the peacekeepers had so far manifested symptoms of the deadly virus while one peacekeeper who got a high fever actually had malaria and was now undergoing treatment.

In his letter, Catapang thanked the WHO for issuing a press statement that “supports the DOH and AFP’s action” to visit the UN peacekeepers on Caballo Island, without any protective gear.

“I would like to express my sincerest appreciation for the clarifying statements your organization issued officially,” Catapang wrote.

“Rest assured that the AFP will continue to perform its mandated mission with utmost professionalism but not while compromising the welfare of others.”

During the meeting, Dr. Megan Counahan, the Ebola expert at WHO Philippines, assured Catapang that the visit with the peacekeepers was all right.

Counahan said that Ebola was not an “efficient virus” and “could only infect people who get in contact with bodily fluids of sick persons who got the disease.

“Indeed, like the peacekeepers, I am Ebola-free,” Catapang said, adding that he felt relieved by the assurance.

Catapang said he would collaborate with both the WHO and the Department of Health in disseminating the correct information about the dreaded disease.

On Caballo island, the peacekeepers are participating in indoor and outdoor games, song writing, essay writing and photography as part of their daily routine to fight boredom.

The Philippine Navy will provide free live viewing of Manny Pacuiao’s fight against Chris Algieri today.

Catapang said that like many Filipinos around the world, the peacekeepers are eagerly awaiting the fight.

“He is our idol and inspiration. I hope he will entertain us again this time by mauling his taller opponent,” said Maj. Gerard Alvaran, the lone Army peacekeeper who served as a UN military observer in Liberia.

Pacquiao holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the reserve force. He is the deputy commander of the Sarangani Ready Reserve Battalion.