VFA exempts US troops from H1N1 checks?

[valvura]

Agree ba kayo dito?

Bayan: VFA exempts US troops from H1N1 checks
05/06/2009 | 09:59 AM

MANILA, Philippines - No thanks to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), US troops visiting the Philippines for the RP-US joint military exercises are exempt from going through government-initiated health surveillance measures against the dreaded A/H1N1 (swine flu) virus, militant groups said Wednesday.

Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said the exemption makes the VFA a “public hazard" amid the high alert against A/H1N1.

“Under this provision, the Philippine government is deprived of the right to determine the health status of the visiting US troops. It will merely rely on the report of the commanding officer of the aircraft or vessel. This restricts the Philippine government from undertaking all the necessary precautions and efforts to detect and control contagious diseases," said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. in a statement on the Bayan Web site.

He cited the VFA's provision stating: "The commanding officer of a military aircraft or vessel shall present a declaration of health, and when required by the cognizant representative of the Government of the Philippines, shall conduct a quarantine inspection and will certify that the aircraft or vessel is free from quarantinable diseases. Any quarantine inspection of United States aircraft, or vessels, or cargoes thereon, shall be conducted by the United States commanding officer in accordance with the international health regulations as promulgated by the World Health Organization, and mutually agreed procedures."

Thus, he said that under the VFA, US commanders are not required to have their troops subjected to thermal scans, health surveillance and other standard operating procedures that are usually undertaken by host governments in civilian ports of entry.

"All US forces need to present is a declaration of health," Reyes said.

Bayan also pointed out that under the provisions of the VFA, any quarantine inspection can only be carried out by US personnel, not Philippine health officers.

“Even in matters of public health, Philippine sovereignty is undermined by the VFA. The Philippine Department of Health and our health professionals should not stand for this. Everyone else entering the country is subjected to inspection and scanning. Even the returning congressmen from Las Vegas will be subjected to inspection, why are US troops being exempted?" Reyes said.

He also said US troops are not required to have passports and visas, to go through immigration or present individual medical status.

The US commanders will simply issue a collective or group identification, he noted.

"They are not even required to state what countries they have recently visited to enable us to know if they pose any health risks," Reyes added.

Bayan challenged Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, to take a clear stand on this issue.

“Having expressed his concern over disasters and calamities, Mr.
Teodoro should take a good look at this provision which endangers the safety of Filipinos," Reyes said. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160035/B...om-H1N1-checks

considering this news:

Texas confirms first death of US resident with swine flu
05/06/2009 | 10:04 AM

McALLEN, Texas — Texas health officials on Tuesday announced the first death of a US resident with swine flu, and said she was a 33-year-old schoolteacher who had recently given birth to a healthy baby.

The woman died early Tuesday and had been hospitalized since April 19, said Leonel Lopez, Cameron County epidemiologist.

Health officials stopped short of saying that swine flu caused the woman's death. State health department spokeswoman Carrie Williams said the woman had "chronic underlying health conditions" but wouldn't give any more details.

Lopez said the flu exacerbated the woman's condition. "The swine flu is very benign by itself," Lopez said. But "by the time she came to see us it was already too late."

The only other swine flu death in the US was of a Mexico City boy who also had other health problems and had been visiting relatives in Brownsville, near Harlingen. He died last week at a Houston children's hospital.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160036/T...with-swine-flu

[valvura]

kung ang pangulo ng Pilipinas ay dumadaan sa ganitong pagsusuri, bakit hindi sa gawin mga sundalong Kano?

Arroyo goes through H1N1 checks upon return to RP
05/06/2009 | 07:48 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Like all "regular" passengers, President Arroyo went through standard A/H1N1 checks upon her return early Wednesday morning from a trip to Egypt and Syria.

Radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported that Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

She and her delegation went through the airport's thermal scanner and underwent a footbath, which were part of the NAIA's standard procedures to check for A/H1N1 or swine flu virus.

Thermal scanning had been a precautionary measure against infection with the A/H1N1 (swine flu virus).

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160027/A...n-return-to-RP

[ans_lim168]

The Americans think highly of themselves here especially with the recent acquittal of Smith, they know the Filipinos will bow to their every request so this does not surprise me a bit.

[valvura]

The Americans think highly of themselves here especially with the recent acquittal of Smith, they know the Filipinos will bow to their every request so this does not surprise me a bit.

agree. nobody cared when the American GI's brought VDs & STDs during the Subic & Clark bases era. they promoted prostitution undermining our laws & morals.

[fourtheboys96]

even if the american soldiers are exempted from health screening of the Philippines, do you think they will do it on their own?

i am just pointing out here the health aspects of the issue. and not the other issues the leftist group have with the VFA.