CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Scaling up prevention services to AFP personnel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched the AFP-wide Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Campaign called #EveryBUDDYLabanSaHIV on July 20 in Camp Victoriano K Luna, Quezon City.
Together with the Department of Defense (DOD) President’s Emergency Plan for AID Relief (PEPFAR) Philippines, the AFP-wide HIV advocates a broader understanding of HIV and encourages AFP members to collectively work on sharing correct and valuable information to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Miss Universe Philippines 2021 and Campaign Ambassador, Sgt Beatrice Luigi Gomez PN(M) (Res), was present during the event to show her support for the advocacy.
"#EveryBUDDYLabanSaHIV is not just a campaign. It is a movement that calls upon every AFP Buddy to take a stand against HIV. Together, let us raise our voices, break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination, and build a nation where everyone, regardless of their HIV status, is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion,” Gomez said.
Col. Paul Vincent Fajardo VC, Chief of the AFP Public Health Service Center encouraged AFP members to support the campaign saying, “It is our duty and shared responsibility to conserve the fighting strength of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
The campaign launch is a call to #EveryBUDDY to be allies of the community in facing the challenges surrounding HIV and building a stigma-free AFP.///
(Photos by Sgt Ambay/PAOAFP)
