Army gives hero's welcome to soldier who survived COVID-19

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur - Soldiers belonging to the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division based in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday warmly gave a hero's welcome to one of its own personnel who survived the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The simple welcome ceremony was led by no less than Major General Gene Ponio, commander of 1ID, and attended by officers and enlisted personnel.

The soldier who survived COVID-19 is seen off by health care workers in personal protective equipment suits, as fellow soldiers from the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division of Philippine Army welcome him back.  Photo courtesy: 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army

The officer who survived COVID-19 was confined on March 17 at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center upon his arrival from Manila showing symptoms.

He was tested and confirmed positive for COVID-19 on March 30.

On Monday, April 6, the officer's subsequent swab test result showed he was already negative for the novel coronavirus.

"We heal as one. Beat COVID-19," read the sign carried by the COVID-19 survivor's fellow soldiers.  Photo courtesy: 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army

Major Jussel Parlan, commanding officer of the 1st ID Station Hospital, said the officer will still be confined though at the infirmary for monitoring and completion of medications.

The Rural Health Unit of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur will monitor the patient's condition.

Ponio expressed gratitude to the health care workers at Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center for taking care of the officer.

"He has contributed a lot for our country. It is high time that we should honor, show him how a hero must be treated in challenging times," Ponio said.

A warm welcome for the COVID-19 survivor soldier was given on April 7, 2020 in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.  Photo courtesy: 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army

"In 1ID, every soldier counts, and in the Philippine Army organization, we treat each and every trooper as our family," he added.

Ponio then urged the public to obey and cooperate with the government and frontline troops, and show the world the spirit of Bayanihan to Heal as One.

The Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center said two of its patients recovered from COVID-19.

The Department of Health on Tuesday said there were 3,764 COVID-19 cases in the country. The death toll reached 177 while total recoveries numbered 84. —KG, GMA News