Camp Aguinaldo on lockdown to suppress ‘alarming’ rise in COVID-19 cases

Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the Philippine military's Headquarters, is on lockdown until further notice to stem an "alarming" rise in COVID-19 cases, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman said Sunday.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Major General Arevalo said Camp Aguinaldo has been on lockdown since 8 a.m. March 21, Sunday.

"By this preemptive measure, AFP Chief General Cirilito Sobejana seeks to arrest the alarming and fast-growing number of COVID-19 infections," Arevalo added.

Arevalo has yet to disclose the number of cases among AFP personnel and staff.

Previously, the Department of National Defense building in Quezon City was also placed on lockdown to make way for disinfection. 

The Philippines registered 7,757 new coronavirus disease infections on Sunday, bringing the total tally of confirmed cases to 663,794. Of the total, 12,968 are fatalities and 577,754 are recoveries. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News