ILOILO CITY—The Third Infantry Division (3^rd ID) has confirmed that 15 soldiers were  infected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Iloilo province.

“The COVID-19 infections resulted to the lockdown of Camp Monteclaro in Miag-ao town.  It’s a precautionary measure,” said 3^rd ID Spokesperson Major Cenon Pancito III.

Camp Monteclaro is the headquarters of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61st IB), which covers southern Iloilo province and Antique province.

Pancito told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday, October 28, that three soldiers were taken to health facilities for having COVID-19 symptoms.

“All three are in stable condition,” Pancito added.

The remaining 12 soldiers were under facility quarantine as they were asymptomatic.

The COVID-19 cases were traced from a soldier, who had flu-like symptoms and went to a hospital in neighboring Guimbal town to get checked.  While there, he was asked to undergo swab test that turned out to be positive.

After the initial case, the hierarchy of 61st IB then conducted contact tracing, and tested other soldiers in Camp Monteclaro.

The military camp will remain in lockdown until all swab results of other soldiers and staff are released.

Meanwhile, Pancito assured that the infection of the soldiers will not affect the work in the anti-insurgency campaign as there are troops scattered all over 61 IB’s area of responsibility.