AFP asserts role in helping to contain COVID-19 crisis in PH
Published Mar 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin SadongdongÂ
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintained on Sunday that it was its duty to help the national government in its efforts to contain the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
Philippine Armed Forces Spokesperson Brig.Gen. Edgard Arevalo
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez / MANILA BULLETIN) This, after several critics hit the military's role in the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the government should invest more on the improvement of health-based solutions. "The AFP, along with the PNP , is part of the whole of government approach in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, all agencies of government -- national and local -- takes part in this endeavor," said Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson. Arevalo was reacting to a statement issued by former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino, who criticized the role of the military and police in the current situation. "COVID-19 is essentially a health problem, not a peace and order problem. Thus, we need health solutions, not police and military actions," Casino said over the weekend. But according to Arevalo, the measures outlined by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), which is headed by the Department of Health and where the AFP is a part of, have to be enforced diligently, including the enforcement of a community quarantine in Metro Manila and the setting up of checkpoints in its borders to restrict the movement of people going in and out of the capital region to prevent the sppread of the virus. Arevalo warned that the health issue might elevate to a law and order problem if they do not serve their role as law enforcers. "Soldiers are there to assist line departments of government. Their arms are primarily not rifles and pistols; they are not boarded in tanks or armored personal carriers," Arevalo said. "Their deployment in coordination with the DOH includes military doctors, nurses, and aid men armed with health and diagnostic equipment aboard ambulances." Meanwhile, Brigadier General Alex Luna, commander of the military's Joint Task Force-NCR, said the checkpoints setup all over Metro Manila have been orderly so far. He said several adjustments will be implemented to allay the fears of the public, including the removal of weapons for soldiers who will inspect the individual's temperature. "May adjustment kami na 'yung nakabaril o pistol na nag-i-inspect, this time we will make sure na unarmed na siya. Baka pepper spray or baton na lang, or other non-lethal weapon," Luna told the Manila Bulletin. But Luna said ony those who will inspect individuals will be unarmed, while personnel who will act as support will have small firrearms for security reasons. "Hopefully maimplement na namin 'yan mamayang gabi (Sunday night) kapag naaprubahan sa Camp Crame dahil nandoon si (Metro Manila police chief) General (Debold) Sinas now talking with them. Ipe-present niya pa 'yan sa Chief PNP," Luna said.
Philippine Armed Forces Spokesperson Brig.Gen. Edgard Arevalo(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez / MANILA BULLETIN) This, after several critics hit the military's role in the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the government should invest more on the improvement of health-based solutions. "The AFP, along with the PNP , is part of the whole of government approach in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, all agencies of government -- national and local -- takes part in this endeavor," said Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson. Arevalo was reacting to a statement issued by former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino, who criticized the role of the military and police in the current situation. "COVID-19 is essentially a health problem, not a peace and order problem. Thus, we need health solutions, not police and military actions," Casino said over the weekend. But according to Arevalo, the measures outlined by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), which is headed by the Department of Health and where the AFP is a part of, have to be enforced diligently, including the enforcement of a community quarantine in Metro Manila and the setting up of checkpoints in its borders to restrict the movement of people going in and out of the capital region to prevent the sppread of the virus. Arevalo warned that the health issue might elevate to a law and order problem if they do not serve their role as law enforcers. "Soldiers are there to assist line departments of government. Their arms are primarily not rifles and pistols; they are not boarded in tanks or armored personal carriers," Arevalo said. "Their deployment in coordination with the DOH includes military doctors, nurses, and aid men armed with health and diagnostic equipment aboard ambulances." Meanwhile, Brigadier General Alex Luna, commander of the military's Joint Task Force-NCR, said the checkpoints setup all over Metro Manila have been orderly so far. He said several adjustments will be implemented to allay the fears of the public, including the removal of weapons for soldiers who will inspect the individual's temperature. "May adjustment kami na 'yung nakabaril o pistol na nag-i-inspect, this time we will make sure na unarmed na siya. Baka pepper spray or baton na lang, or other non-lethal weapon," Luna told the Manila Bulletin. But Luna said ony those who will inspect individuals will be unarmed, while personnel who will act as support will have small firrearms for security reasons. "Hopefully maimplement na namin 'yan mamayang gabi (Sunday night) kapag naaprubahan sa Camp Crame dahil nandoon si (Metro Manila police chief) General (Debold) Sinas now talking with them. Ipe-present niya pa 'yan sa Chief PNP," Luna said.