Army soldier manning Metro Manila checkpoint being monitored due to fever

March 23, 2020

A soldier was placed under monitoring after becoming feverish while manning a community quarantine checkpoint in Metro Manila.

This was revealed by Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay in an interview with reporters on Monday.

"Actually we have one who had fever, but our soldier is still under monitoring.Maybe our trooper is just tired.It's considered as (PUM) person under investigation," he said.

Emphasizing the risk on the mission of the frontline troops, Gapay said the Philippine Army provide temporary billeting facility for their troops deployed at community quarantine checkpoints.

"We made a temporary barracks billeting facility for our troops in quarantine stations because having performed such duties they are already exposed. Because we do not know who are infected by the virus because others are asymptomatic, so we really looking after the safety of our frontliners," he said.

"Aside from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) we also have medical teams that are on standby with our frontliners guarding  checkpoints," added Gapay.

Gapay said the Philippine Army also prepared quarantine facilities as part of their contingency plan in case of a major outbreak.

"Actually it is part of our contingency plan in case of a major outbreak where in we need massive containment facilities so our facilities are ready not only in Metro Manila but nationwide," he said.

"We have set aside a building there are bed there in case we need to monitor many patients, our hospitals already have isolation rooms and we have on standby medical teams 24/7, of course our CBRN,'' he said.

''So far here in Luzon, the largest containment facility is in Fort Magsaysay. The drug rehab center is  a 10,000 capacity facility so it is one of the facilities that we prepare in case this gets worse," said Gapay.

"All that we do here in Metro Manila (is) what you are seeing in our quarantine stations. It is also being done nationwide by Army troopers because there are some cases in other parts of the country," he added.

The Philippine Army also provide transportation assistance since operation of public transport vehicles were suspended last week. Robina Asido/DMS