Pinoy peacekeepers end quarantine, leave Caballo Island

(Updated 8:20 p.m.) Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia have left Caballo Island on Tuesday after undergoing a 21-day quarantine there, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

Cabunoc said the peacekeepers left the island at around noon aboard a Philippine Navy vessel. They were then brought to Sangley Point in Cavite, and transported by military buses to the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City for routine medical screening.

The Navy vessel carrying the 132 peacekeepers docked at Sangley Point at 6:38 p.m., radio dzBB's James Agustin reported.
 
Of the peacekeepers who arrived at Sangley Point, 107 were from the Air Force, one was a military observer, 23 were from the Philippine National Police, and one was from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

A welcome ceremony, to be led by AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., for the peacekeepers will be held at around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"I am very happy that the peacekeepers have successfully finished the quarantine without any untoward incident. I am commending them for their self-sacrifices to make our country Ebola virus-free," Cabunoc said.

He added that a UN Service Medal will be awarded to the peacekeepers "for their splendid performance and invaluable services as members of the peacekeeping contingent in Liberia."

'Island paradise'

Major Gerard Alvaran, one of the peacekeepers, said while he is looking forward to returning home, he enjoyed their stay on Caballo Island.

"I am eagerly waiting to this day that we finish this quarantine period. I can’t wait to see my family during the Hero’s Welcome that is scheduled for us," he said.

"Our stay was never boring because we had lots of activities including fun games, environmental protection activities and also the rare opportunity to discover the historic spots there," Alvaran added.

For her part, SPO4 Shirley B. Alonzo, a member of the police peacekeepers, said despite being quarantined, they have been productive.
 
"It also gave us an opportunity to show our creativity by making the island a better place by planting trees and conducting coastal cleanup," she said. —Amanda Fernandez and Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News