AFP preparing for battle with COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday (March 11) said it was ready to support the government’s efforts in waging war on an enemy that wouldn’t need bullets to defeat—novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

AFP Chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said the military was “preparing for the possibility” of lending facilities and manpower to the “whole of government approach” in the fight against the virus “that has raised alarms worldwide.”

He said the AFP had also put in place its own precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus among soldiers, officers and civilian employees.

The AFP chief said he had ordered the AFP Health Services Command to “institute preventive measures” to make sure military camps, facilities and offices have the needed safeguards against COVID-19.

Some of the measures included scanning for fever at gates of military camps and setting up a test site at the AFP Medical Center.

All foreign travels of AFP officers and men were also suspended “except when necessary.”

Santos said the AFP was also preparing to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) enforce lockdowns, including in Metro Manila, should these be deemed necessary by the Department of Health.

The number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines had jumped to 33 and 68 were being further checked. President Rodrigo Duterte had declared a state of public health emergency.

Edited by TSB