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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Olympic heroes' welcome 'exempted' from COVID protocols --- Roque

Olympic heroes' welcome 'exempted' from COVID protocols --- Roque

Published Aug 10, 2021 02:53 pm

The breach of the COVID-19 health protocols during the heroes’ welcome for the Olympic medalists at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by government officials is an “exemption,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Tuesday, August 10.

BEMEDALLED BOXERS–Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial pose with their medals upon their arrival at NAIA on Aug. 9, 2021 (Ali Vicoy/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the long-time aide of President Duterte, welcomed and were photographed with Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam upon their arrival at the NAIA Terminal 2 from Tokyo, Japan.

This was a serious breach of safety protocols because travelers from other countries must go straight to a quarantine facility upon arrival.

READ: 'Mabuhay!' Bemedalled Pinoy boxers return home

“Siguro exception naman ‘yun. Alam natin kung ano ang protocol noh. I think ang nangyari naman very exceptional na nagwagi po sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ang ating mga atleta sa Olympics at karapat-dapat lamang na bagamat may pandemya, magkaroon lamang sila ng heroes’ welcome (Maybe that’s an exception. We know what the protocol is. I think what happened was very exceptional because our athletes won for the very first time in the Olympics and they deserve, even if it’s a pandemic, to have a heroes’ welcome),” Roque said in his virtual presser.

The Palace official assured that the athletes will follow the protocol, which is to quarantine for 10 days if they did not submit a proof of vaccination before they left for Tokyo or seven days if they have a vaccination certificate.

Roque also said that the heroes’ welcome for the athletes who took home the country’s largest Olympic medal haul will not change the health and quarantine protocols.

Airport personnel, despite the restrictions, were also seen welcoming the athletes when they arrived on Monday. The athletes, however, were immediately whisked to the presidential lounge where they had a Zoom meeting with Duterte.

READ: Duterte gives additional cash incentives to Filipino Olympians

“If at all, ang mga nagbuwis ng buhay po ay ‘yung mga sumalubong kasama na po diyan si (those who risked their lives are those who welcomed them including) Executive Secretary Medialdea at saka si (and) Senator Bong Go,” the spokesman added.

Marcial, Paalam, and Petecio are now in a quarantine facility where they need to spend between seven and 10 days before they can see their families.

Related Tags

Harry Roque Olympic medalists health protocols Eumir Marcial 2020 Tokyo Olympics Carlo Paalam Nesthy Petecio
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