INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Sinalubong ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang pag-uwi sa Pilipinas ng 16 stranded Filipino seafarers at tatlong land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) mula China, Martes ng madaling-araw.
Dumating ang Filipino seafarers sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) bandang 1:30 ng madaling-araw.
Sa 16 seafarers, 11 ay mula sa Ocean Star 86, na na-stranded sa Dongshan noong March 2020.
Ang limang iba pa ay mula naman sa M/V Maria P., kung saan na-stranded sa Ningde simula noong July 2020.
Apektado ang dalawang Chinese fishing vessels ng “no disembarkation” policy bilang precautionary measure bunsod ng COVID-19 pandemic at walang commercial flights.
Ayon kay Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola, ang repatriation ay resulta ng ilang buwang negosasyon sa gobyerno ng China.
“Despite existing restrictions on the disembarkation of seafarers in China and the difficult conditions under which this special flight was mounted, the Department of Foreign Affairs remains committed to its promise of bringing our kabayan seafarers home. Our message to all OFWs is clear — whether you’re on land or at sea, the Philippine Government, under the Duterte Administration, will continue to prioritize your welfare and safety,” pahayag ni Arriola.
Bago ang departure, dumaan ang seafarers sa RT-PCR test at lumabas na negatibo sa COVID-19.
Pagkadating ng NAIA, sumailalim ang seafarers sa medical protocols at mandatory quarantine.