‘Survivor’ challenge keeps peacekeepers busy on Caballo

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched its own survivor challenge for Filipino peacekeepers currently under 21-day quarantine at a Philippine Navy facility on Caballo Island.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP public affairs office chief, said the 133 peacekeepers are holding competitions in different event categories to keep themselves busy.

Among the events lined up by the AFP for the “Survivor Caballo” are volleyball, where team members are not allowed to jump during the game, and basketball, where team members are free to pick their opponents.

Another activity that keeps peacekeepers busy is the fishing competition. A team that catches the biggest fish within a specified period is declared winner.

Participants also engage in songwriting, essay writing and photography, Cabunoc said.

“The AFP chief will award cash prizes to the winners of the Caballo Survivor during a heroes’ welcome ceremony being prepared for them in the first week of December,” he said.

Malaria-stricken peacekeeper rejoins colleagues

A peacekeeper isolated and airlifted to the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa after he developed fever last week has recovered and rejoined his colleagues on Caballo Island the other day.

The peacekeeper turned out to be stricken with malaria and not Ebola.

WHO clears Catapang

AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang presented himself before the World Health Organization (WHO) country office the other day, where he said medical experts assured him that the Ebola virus could only infect those who had contact with the body fluids of a person with the disease.

Catapang went to the WHO office amid criticisms drawn by his visit to the peacekeepers on Caballo last Nov. 16, along with acting Health Secretary Janette Garin, without any protective gear.