Querubin hit with malaria, transferred to AFP hospital in QC

By Ronron
January 30, 2007

Marines Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the accused coup plotters last February 2005, is hit with malaria, his wife and military officials said Tuesday.

Querubin was brought yesterday morning to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center on V. Luna Avenue, Quezon City for immediate treatment and further examinations and observations.

His wife, Maria Flor, disclosed that the Plasmodium falciparum strain of malaria was found on Querubin, prompting her to reiterate her request to the Navy leadership to allow her husband to go to a bigger medical facility.

Querbin was initially confined at the Naval Hospital in Cavite near his detention house in Fort San Felipe.

The Plasmodium falciparum strain is said to be the most widespread and dangerous at it can lead to fatal cerebral malaria if untreated.

“The Navy leadership just tells me they will check the security every time I request that my husband be brought to another hospital. They should ask the doctors, not the custodians… He (Querubin) is affected with malaria,” an emotional Mrs. Querubin said in a phone interview.

She said her husband has been chilling, feverish and weak in the past few days. And his eyes have turned a bit yellow in color.

Navy spokesman Commander Giovanni Bacordo said Querubin’s stay at the hospital will be determined by his doctors.

“But he will be returned to Fort San Felipe when he gets well,” said Bacordo.

Querubin is facing charges of violation of the Articles of War for his involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government almost a year ago by bringing his troops to the streets during the 20th People Power I Anniversary celebration on EDSA./DMS