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Task force says they did not violate gov’t ban vs Chinese tourists in Boracay
The Malay Task Force against 2019 novel coronavirus on Thursday said they did not violate the travel ban imposed by the government after Chinese tourists were seen in Boracay Island in the last few days.
“We did not know where the information came from but we did not violate the ban,” Task Force Deputy Information Manager Madel Joy Tayco told The Daily Manila Shimbun in a phone interview.
This is the local government’s response to Senator Joel Villanueva statement that they are “irresponsible for disregarding the ban for profit”.
“The Chinese (tourists) that are here are already in the Philippines even before the lockdown, even before the travel ban,” Tayco said.
According to their data, as of Thursday morning around 303 Chinese checked-in at different resorts in Boracay are being monitored.
Tayco said the number of Chinese tourists went down but she has yet to get the final data.
“All Chinese who entered (the island) were PUMs (persons under monitoring)… advisory is to monitor them and they are currently staying at their hotels,” she said.
Tayco said the local government is tracing all locals and foreigners, who have history of travelling to China.
“It is the primary concern right now,” she said.
She added Boracay Island is still “safe and virus-free” as they have zero case of persons under investigation (PUI).
The local government conducted an information blast to prevent residents from worrying and panicking.
“They are now at ease after knowing how they can protect themselves and prevent (being infected),” Tayco said. Ella Dionisio/DMS
Duterte optimistic peace with Reds to be realized much earlier
President Rodrigo Duterte expressed optimism on Thursday that peace with the communist New People’s Army ( NPA) could be reached much earlier.
“At the rate that the NPAs are surrendering, apaprently I think that we’d be able to realize peace much earlier,” Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-appointed government officials in Malacanang.
He said the government has to comply with its promise of assisting the former Maoist rebels return to their normal lives.
“But the most important thing is to come up and comply with the promise to the rebels,” Duterte said.
The government has been implementing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for rebel returnees. The program included extending cash and livelihood assistance to the former rebels.
The military has said many NPA rebels, particularly in Mindanao, have surrendered and availed of the government’s integration program.
Duterte terminated the formal peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front in 2017. Celerina Monte/DMS
Filipino OFW dies of coronavirus in Dubai: Bello
A 58-year-old Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) died in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from coronavirus last January 29, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday.
Bello aid he was informed by the Labor Attache in Dubai that it was discovered the cause of death was” coronavirus”.
“It was confirmed as coronavirus as of February 2,” said Bello.
Asked whether it was caused by the 2019-nCoV, he said he is uncertain.
“Coronavirus. I didn’t see 2019-nCoV,” said Bello. DMS
Palace visitors, including security detail, to fill up health security declaration form as nCoV precaution – PSG
All individuals who will enter Malacanang have to fill up health declaration forms as part of precautionary measure in the wake of the spread of deadly novel coronavirus, the Presidential Security Group ( PSG) said on Thursday.
A one-page declaration form issued by the Events Management Cluster include questions regarding foreign countries and cities in the Philippines that the person has worked, visited, transited or traveled to in the past 14 days.
There are also questions if the person has been sick in the past 30 days and if during the last 14 days, he or she has fever, colds, cough, sore throat, or difficulty in breathing.
The form also includes a question if the person has been in close contact with farm animals or exposed to wild animals in the past 14 days.
The person also needs to write down the full name, nationality, sex, age, contact number, email address and address in the Philippines.
“The information I have given herein is true, correct, and complete. I understand that failure to answer any question or any falsified response may have serious consequences. (Article 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines),” according to the form, which has to be signed by the individual.
Asked the purpose of the health declaration form, PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra said, “it’s a precaution against nCoV.”
He said all those who would enter the Palace, including the security detail, are required to fill up the forms.
The filling up of the health declaration form would continue until the health protocol is lifted by the Office of the President-EMC and the Department of Health, Niembra said. Celerina Monte/DMS