Pinoy peacekeepers in Ebola-hit Liberia home by Nov. 10

The close to 150 Filipino peacekeepers in Ebola-hit Liberia are set to fly home on November 10, after the government ordered their repatriation.

"The marching order has been given by the President,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. at a press briefing Tuesday. “Unfortunately we would not be able to give them a heroes' welcome."

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered a “systematic” and “scientific” evacuation of over 1,700 Filipino workers from three Ebola-hit countries in West Africa, namely Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Based on World Health Organization (WHO) figures, over 4,000 people have already died from Ebola, with 8,399 registered cases in seven countries.

On Monday, WHO executive director Ian Smith said the Philippines is "vulnerable" to the threat of the deadly virus due to its migrant population.

Catapang said the peacekeepers — 112 soldiers and 28 police officers — will be quarantined for 21 days upon their return so as not to possibly contaminate anyone.

“After that, we will give them a welcome party for passing the test,” he added. —KBK, GMA News

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