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Top defense, military officials undergo quarantine after staff tests positive for COVID-19
Top defense, military officials undergo quarantine after staff tests positive for COVID-19
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed on Tuesday that he has subjected himself to self-quarantine after one of his staff tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
(NTF Against COVID-19 / MANILA BULLETIN)
Lorenzana said his staff, Col. Rolly Nerona, yielded positive results after he underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kit last Friday.
"I had myself swabbed this morning and will self quarantine to await the results," he told reporters, adding that he has no symptoms so far.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief General Felimon Santos Jr., who had recovered from COVID-19 infection in April, will undergo a "strict, doctor-supervised" quarantine anew after he joined Lorenzana and the COVID-positive staff in separate official functions during the past few days.
"The CSAFP will be on a strict, doctor-supervised quarantine. This holds true for all the other officers and enlisted personnel on board the aircraft to and from Jolo, Sulu," said Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman.
"Within the period of quarantine, he shall continue to fully discharge his duties and responsibilities ably assisted by the Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs and the Chief of Joint Staff," he added.
Nerona was with Lorenzana when he flew to Jolo, Sulu on Monday for President Duterte's talk to the soldiers before the latter went back to Manila.
However, Lorenzana clarified that Nerona was not in the same event with Duterte since he was already isolated at that time.
"He learned about it (results) upon landing in Jolo yesterday (Monday)," he said.
"He was not in the event with the President in Jolo yesterday as he was in seclusion," he added.
Nerona joined Lorenzana and other officials in another flight back to Manila on a personal protective equipment (PPE) suit.
Nerona also joined Lorenzana in Subic, Zambales last Friday during the joint commissioning, turnover, and blessing ceremony of the Philippine Navy's BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).
Others who attended the ceremony in Subic were Navy Chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, South Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man, Hyundai Heavy Industries representatives, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino, Subic Bayan Management Authority (SBMA) Chairperson lawyer Wilma Eisma, and other major service commanders and high-ranking defense and military officials.
"All passengers of both planes have been informed and others he came in contact with while in Subic so that they can have themselves tested and go on quarantine," Lorenzana said.
Duterte, on the other hand, flew to Manila onboard a separate aircraft after the Jolo visit.Â
Navy chief on quarantine, too
Meanwhile, the Navy public affairs office announced on Tuesday afternoon that Navy chief  Giovanni Carlo Bacordo has undergone self-quarantine after an officer who attended the frigate commissioning in Subic tested positive for COVID-19.
"This officer was part of the planning group. Though present during D-day, he was far from the VIP group," Bacordo told the Manila Bulletin.
Lieutenant Commander Maria Christina Roxas, Naval public affairs office chief, said Bacordo has been on quarantine since Saturday and is awaiting the results of his swab test.
Similarly, all the crew of BRP Jose Rizal were already subjected to PCR testing while preparing for the ship's participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in Hawaii later this month.
"Those who will test positive of the COVID-19 virus will have to be put in a quarantine facility ashore, while the other crew members will continue to make preparations for the RIMPAC 2020 exercise. FF150's departure for Hawaii is on July 29," Roxas said.