‘Everyday activities’ to keep peacekeepers busy on Caballo Island

They may be confined on an island for three weeks, but their days will never be boring.

In an interview with “Unang Balita” on Thursday, Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said “everyday activities” will keep the 133 Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola-stricken Liberia preoccupied during their stay on Caballo Island.

Cabunoc said Task Force Liberia, which was organized for the peacekeepers' homecoming, has laid out daily activities for them from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., among them a sportsfest where winners will be awarded based on orders from AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

Most of the activities will be done by groups, Cabunoc said.

At a press conference on Monday, Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said one of the activities involved caring for the environment.

“We've prepared everything for those 21 days. We lined up some activities, more on the care of the environment there,” he said.

In a separate interview on the sidelines of the press conference, Canaya said the peacekeepers will not be doing formal military exercises during their stay.

“They will not work. We want to make them feel like they're almost home,” he said.

The AFP said the peacekeepers will have the opportunity to talk to their families every day during their quarantine since telecommunication services have been set up for them. They will also have free WiFi connection.

The peacekeepers arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Wednesday afternoon and were brought straight to the island where they will stay until December 3.

The quarantine is part of government protocols against the possible entry of Ebola virus, which has so far killed over 4,000 in West Africa. Prior to their departure from Liberia, the peacekeepers had been tested negative for the virus. They were also cleared in a thermal scanning procedure after their arrival in the Philippines.

The peacekeepers will undergo a routine medical test after their quarantine.

A heroes' welcome awaits the peacekeepers, which will be held at the AFP General Headquarters after the quarantine period. –Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News

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