BY MARTIN SADONGDONG
The National Task Force (NTF) against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), led by former military men, announced on Sunday night that reservists of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who are also in the medical field will be called to active duty for a period of two years amid the continuous rise in the number of infections.
NTF Chairman and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the reservists will provide additional manpower to support the health care workers in the frontlines of the fight.
“We will call to active duty these people for a period of two years to serve the AFP,” he said in a special meeting led by President Duterte.
Lorenzana added that he will order the AFP Health Service Command to beef up its forces by enlisting at least 10,000 more reservists composed of doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and aidmen.
This, after President Duterte instructed Lorenzana to mobilize the military reservists amid the call for distress of various medical societies for a “timeout” since health care workers are already “burned out.”
“I am asking Secretary Lorenzana to mobilize, call a mobilization of doctors and nurses, and those who can help. Kung ‘yan na lang ang maaasahan naming. I will outright call all reservists to work,” Duterte said in a special meeting with the Cabinet members and leaders of the NTF, Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) and Senator Bong Go.
Medical professionals in the Philippine National Police (PNP) were also encouraged to step up and help the government.
“Mabuti ito, Mr. President, kasi itong mga tao na ito mauutusan natin. Pwede sila mag-overtime,” Lorenzana said.
“They will be under the military’s control. Mas madaling utusan ito, Mr. President,” he added.
Last Saturday, Philippine College of Physicians President Mario Panaligan appealed to Duterte through a formal letter that Mega Manila be placed again to enhanced community quarantine since the system is already overwhelmed by the new cases, which went as high as 4,000 to 5,000 in the past four days. His call was backed by various medical organizations. (Martin Sadongdong)
