No face mask, no entry in Camp Aguinaldo starting Thursday

April 1, 2020

Amid the increasing number of cases of the 2019 coronavirus disease ( COVID-19) in the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will require all  visitors as well as  military and civilian personnel to use face masks inside Camp Aguinaldo starting Thursday.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, AFP public affairs chief, said the use of face masks is based on the directives  by AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. as part of the military's measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"The memorandum was published on March 31, 2020 requiring all military and civilian personnel to wear face mask at all times whether inside or outside offices. This is to prevent and control the spread of the deadly disease inside the AFP General Headquarters," he said.

"The measure being implemented seeks to avert an individual, especially both symptomatic and asymptomatic, from spreading saliva droplets into the air or on any surface," he added.

Zata said "according to the memorandum, personnel accessing vehicle and pedestrian entrances at Gate 1 who are not wearing face mask will be denied access staring April 2, 2020."

"The initiative will be replicated as needed to other military camps and facilities nationwide. This is part of the AFP’s measures in protecting its members not only in the frontlines but also those who are still performing administrative duties inside camps," he said.

"The AFP through the NJTF - CV CARE is continuously conducting military operations related to health services to contain the growth and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in order to restore normalcy in the country," he added.

Last week, the AFP confirmed that Santos was tested positive for Covid-19.

Even before getting his test result, Santos placed himself in home quarantine after one of the AFP officer and his wife were found positive with the virus. Robina Asido/DMS