By Nonoy Lacson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The United States government, through its Special Operations Task Force 511.2, donated on Friday, May 22, 110 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPEs) intended to be distributed to private and government hospitals in this city.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco together with US Special Operations Task Force 511.2 Commander Major Nathan Golike jointly facilitated the donation to the hospitals here.
The turnover of the PPEs was held at the Edwin Andrews Air Base of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) here at about 2 p.m., Friday.
The 110 boxes of medical supplies were intended for medical facilities in Zamboanga City which included the Zamboanga City Health Office, ZC Medical Center, West Metro Medical Center, Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center, and Ciudad Medical Center Zamboanga.
Climaco expressed her gratitude to the US Department of Defense for donating the PPEs, masks, goggles, thermometers, and other medical supplies to the medical facilities in Zamboanga, and for the support extended to the city government of Zamboanga in response to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease.
"What you have done to us today is something that will continue in our enduring friendship. Something that we look forward and really are very much thankful of," the mayor said addressing the donors.
Witnessing the activity were Third Tactical Operations Command Chief Maj. Gen. Marcelino Randy Tibayan, AFP-WestMinCom Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Camilo Balutan, Joint Task Force Zamboanga Commander, Col Antonio Divinagracia and senior officials from the City Health Office and Hospitals.
For his part, Sobejana said: "During this time of turmoil, we really need to be connected. We need to have a very good convergence and harmony of efforts and it requires a lot of support and cooperation from each and everyone."
"In behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and as Commander of the AFP-WestMinCom, I would like to convey my sincerest gratitude to the US Government for the assistance extended to us," Sobejana added.