FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army soldiers are deployed in the frontlines in support to the thrusts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the implementation of community quarantine in Metro Manila in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the COVID-19 disease a pandemic following the increasing record of cases globally. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte addressed the country to Code Red Sublevel 2, imposing stringent social distancing measures in the National Capital Region. In line with this, the PNP tapped the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for assistance in preventing and containing the outbreak in Metro Manila.
The Philippine Army, with the leadership of the PNP, will provide support in performing the security protocols in checkpoint areas within Metro Manila to secure the people and medical personnel in the duration of the community quarantine. The Army will also render its support through the logistics and manpower from the troops when need arises.
Thus, the Philippine Army augmented one Battalion of troops to Joint Task Force National Captial Region since last night. While, PA Disaster Response Units (DRU), Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) units and Army doctors are on standby alert ready to be deployed when the need arises.
The PA’s DRU and CBRN units are equipped with personal protective equipment and mobility assets ready to assist the PNP in performing security and health protocols in checkpoints within Metro Manila
The safety of the personnel responding to the affected communities will also be given priority of the Army to further the service in the midst of the outbreak. Residents of Metro Manila and other affected communities are encouraged to adhere to the stringent social distancing measures to help prevent the spread of the virus to other communities.
We your soldiers, are committed to support the government’s effort to contain the virus while our leaders and healthcare professional work towards a solution. We enjoin every citizen to do their share in these trying times by adhering to the guidelines set forth by our government for the common good.#