AFP role in COVID-19 fight shows value for civilians—Medialdea

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Thursday lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its contribution to the government’s COVID-19 response.

“Our Armed Forces, normally deployed to defend our people against armed attacks, has been contributing significantly to the protection of civilian lives against COVID-19,” Medialdea said in a statement.

According to Medialdea, more than 2,000 military doctors, nurses, and medical staff have been deployed to 250 treatment and quarantine facilities across the country.

The executive secretary also noted that the AFP has assisted around 60,000 civilians in their return to their respective provinces using military land, sea, and air crafts.

Through these modes of transport, Medialdea said more than two million pounds of medical equipment and supplies and three million food packs have been distributed throughout the country in coordination with private partners.

“These humanitarian efforts of our Armed Forces testify to how highly they value civilian lives,” he said.

Medialdea issued the statement as the country celebrates International Humanitarian Law Day with the theme “Upholding the Law of Armed Conflict Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic: Protecting Humanity for Healing and Recovery.”

Meanwhile, he also lamented that local communist terrorist groups have “waylaid“ troops delivering vaccines and food supplies to far-flung areas.

“It is unfortunate that our on-going efforts to confront an unseen nemesis called COVID-19 are greatly encumbered by its seen counterpart called local terrorism,” he said.

“But our obligation as a government to protect our people at all times, which IHL constantly reminds us of, inspires us to be strong and focused in bringing about healing and recovery in these difficult times,” he added.

As of August 5, Malacañang announced that 10 million Filipinos have already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Philippines has logged 1,700,363 confirmed cases, of which 1,583,161 have recovered and 29,539 have died.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News