The number of military personnel infected with COVID-19 dropped from more than 1,000 to 307 this month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed Saturday, Oct. 24.
General Gilbert Gapay, AFP Chief of Staff, was elated with the decrease of COVID-infected personnel which, he said, proved that health measures being implemented in the camps are effective.
"Our commanders and chiefs of offices have done a great job in enforcing social distancing measures and strict health protocols inside camps, in turn keeping our military and civilian personnel able to perform their respective duties," he said.
In September, the AFP reached the most number of COVID-19 cases among its personnel which reached 1,327.
But as of October 23, only 307 remained as active cases, or those who have yet to recover.
Of these, 256 are military personnel currently admitted in treatment facilities, 32 are dependents, and 19 are civilian personnel.
The AFP also registered 3,438 recoveries and 31 deaths due to COVID-19 as of October 23.
The military has been at the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 13,800 military personnel, reservists, and auxiliary personnel are currently deployed nationwide to help health care workers in manning community quarantine assistance stations, quarantine areas, and various testing facilities.
Meanwhile, 15 vessels of the Philippine Navy and seven aircraft of the Philippine Air Force were utilized to transport medical equipment and staff here and abroad. The military has delivered over 1.7 million kilos of cargo so far.
"The AFP is enhancing our safety and health protocols and other measures to protect the best interest and well-being of our soldiers, particularly those in the frontlines. Our troops' health will always be of utmost importance as we continue to preserve the AFP's fighting strength to help the country win over this battle," Gapay said.
"We want to let our people know that they really have an Armed Forces that is truly dependable and reliable, and can be called upon in any time of need or crisis. One that is also versatile to perform various missions and adapt to different situations from peacetime, crisis, conflict, and even in addressing a pandemic," he added.