PH gov’t denies limited communication between peacekeepers, relatives
MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang on Sunday denied reports that communication between Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia and their relatives are being limited.
“Walang limitasyong ipinaiiral hinggil sa paggamit ng cellphone sa Caballo Island para sa may sariling gamit nito,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-run radio.
Filipino peacekeepers. Photo from Philippine Navy
(No limitation is being implemented when it comes to using cellphones in Caballo Island, at least for those who own one.)
Coloma said that those without mobile phones may use the cellphone assigned to their unit. However, he said they will have to follow the time restrictions to give everyone fair access.
His statement came after the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted the wife of one of the 133 Filipino peacekeepers being quarantined in Philippine Navy-occupied island that she is unable to contact her husband regularly.
The peacekeepers, who arrived in the country on November 12 will have to remain in Caballo Island for 21 days to ensure that they were not infected by the Ebola virus. Liberia is one of the three West African countries with the most number of deaths due to the outbreak.
Mayroong libreng wifi coverage para makipag-usap sila sa kanilang mga kamag-anak sa pamamagitan ng Skype o Viber,” Coloma said, adding that telecommunications companies have also made available “expanded benefits” like unlimited texting.
(There is a free wifi coverage so they may communicate with their relatives using Skype or Viber.)
The Secretary said the government was thankful that the peacekeepers’ relatives continue to understand and support the government’s policy on quarantine as a safety precaution against the Ebola virus outbreak.
Ayon kay AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) spokesperson Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, magkikita ang mga peacekeeper at ang kanilang mga kamag-anak sa heroes’ welcome ceremony na nakatakdang idaos sa Malacañang sa unang linggo ng Disyembre,” he explained.
(According to AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, the peacekeepers and their relatives will be reunited at the heroes’ welcome ceremony that is set to be held at Malacañang during the first week of December.)
However, Coloma later clarified that the welcome cememony is “still subject to the approval and confirmation by the Office of the President.”
RELATED STORIES
Peacekeeper’s wife’s complain: Why can’t I talk to my husband?
DOH monitoring peacekeeper with some Ebola-like symptoms
It’s malaria, not Ebola: Soldier tests negative for dreaded virus
