2nd Infantry Division remains COVID-19 free

May 7, 2020

Military forces in Southern Tagalog remain COVID-19 free amid the threat of coronavirus disease in the country, the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army said Thursday.

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr.,  commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, said 8,000 soldiers and paramilitary forces remain COVID-19 free.

“Preserving the force has been one of our priorities during this pandemic so  we may be able to respond to any eventuality or exigency in relation to our mandate to serve the people and secure this part of our land”, he said.

Capt. Jayrald Ternio,  public affairs chief of the2nd Infantry Division, said "despite the commendable record, the 2nd ID inaugurated its additional quarantine facility in Camp Capinpin on Wednesday.

Ternio said the facility was built to complement the four existing quarantine facilities  should some of their frontliners will contract the virus.

According to Major Dennis Caspe, commanding officer of the Army Station Hospital, the quarantine facility "can accommodate 48 individuals whether probable or suspect.”

“The facility is compliant to DOH-mandated protocols in relation to the health crisis as we increase our camp's preventive measures to prevent the entry of corona virus," said Caspe.

Burgos said the "soldiers’ awareness complemented by the PPEs which we have been issuing since the beginning of the outbreak” is the reason behind the commendable record of his unit against Covid-19.

Ternio said Camp Capinpin is one of the first Army camps across the country to implement stringent screening measures aligned with internationally accepted health protocols for those intending to enter its premises.

"As of the moment, 2nd ID has deployed 2,478 soldiers manning the 218 Quarantine Control Points or QCPs in the region to help in containing the spread of COVID-19," he added. Robina Asido/DMS