Army gets more masks, thermal scanners

THE Philippine Army on Thursday received more thermal scanners and protective gear for its personnel manning checkpoints.

Col. Ramon Zagala, Army spokesman, said the Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corp. ( PNOC- EC) sent 49 thermal scanners, eye protectors, face masks and gloves.

Retired Air Force chief Rozzano Briguez, PNOCEC president and chief executive officer, led the turnover of the equipment in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“[ Briguez] showed his gratitude to the Army frontliners through the donation of thermal scanners, eye protectors, gloves and masks in order for them to be equipped in combatting the threat of Covid- 19 ( coronavirus disease 2019),” Zagala said in a statement.

Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Aquino, the Army’s vice commander, received the donation on behalf of the Philippine Army.

Authorities have admitted that there was a shortage of personal protective equipment not just for health workers, but also for those manning checkpoints in Metro Manila and in other areas in Luzon.

Meanwhile, the Navy deployed troops from a marine battalion to augment soldiers assigned in various checkpoints to help implement the enhanced community quarantine declared in the entire Luzon.

Instead of being assigned in Sulu, the 12th Marine Battalion was “called upon to support the fight against this unseen enemy that threatens public health and security,” said Navy spokesman Lt. Cdr. Maria Christina Roxas in a statement. ss

“The additional Marine troops [ are to] augment the Navy’s fleet- marine deployment under the Naval Task Group- National Capital Region manning the quarantine assistance stations in Rizal, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Cavite and Laguna,” she continued.

Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa, battalion commander, said the unseen enemy would test their mettle but they should “hold the line.”

“Your Marines will work silently, out of prying eyes of the general public. This is who we are, this is what we do, this is the essence of soldiery,” he added.

DEMPSEY REYES