THE chief of the Philippine Air Force is currently on a self-imposed quarantine after being exposed to a military senior officer positive for Covid-19, the command’s spokesman said.
“Immediately after being informed on March 24 that a senior AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) officer was confirmed positive for Covid-19, the CG (commanding general), PAF Lt. Gen. Allen T. Paredes, AFP, started his home quarantine and, notified the Chief of Staff, AFP and the Chief Surgeon Air Force,” Air Force spokesman Major Aristides Galang said.
“Concerned personnel at HPAF (headquarters, Philippine Air Force) were also informed of his status,” he added.
Galang said Paredes was with the said officer on March 4 and “very briefly during the call on the Chief of Staff, AFP by the newly promoted generals last March 12 at GHQ (general headquarters), AFP.”
The spokesman did not name the senior officer, but he was apparently referring to a Navy commodore, who is currently being treated at the AFP Medical Center for the coronavirus.
“The latest outside engagement of CG, PAF was on March 21 during the turnover of medical supplies and equipment donated by local Filipino-Chinese businessmen which were airlifted by PAF C-130 from China where he wore a mask during the ceremony,” Galang said.
“The CG, PAF is in good health and continues to perform his duties and responsibilities from his military quarters,” he added.
Mask a must
Meanwhile, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. ordered on Wednesday the mandatory wearing of face masks inside Camp Aguinaldo amid the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country.
The directive was issued by Santos, who is working from home on a self-imposed quarantine after he tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Military public affairs office chief Capt. Jonathan Zata said the order was contained in a memorandum issued by Santos on Tuesday which required “all military and civilian personnel to wear face mask at all times whether inside or outside offices.”
The directive was issued as part of the effort to prevent and control the spread of the deadly disease inside the AFP general headquarters.
“The measure being implemented seeks to avert an individual, especially both symptomatic and asymptomatic, from spreading saliva droplets into the air or on any surface,” Zata said.
Zata said that according to the memorandum, personnel accessing vehicle and pedestrian entrances at the camp’s Gate 1 who are not wearing face mask will be denied access beginning on April 2.
The initiative will be replicated as needed to other military camps and facilities nationwide.