Manila, Philippines—Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. has ordered the immediate repatriation of Filipinos aboard the quarantined M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
In a tweet Wednesday, Locsin said he has ordered the Philippine embassy in Tokyo to immediately repatriate Filipinos in the cruise ship which has been put under quarantine due to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection while docked off Yokohoma, Japan.
@DFAPHL I have ordered our Tokyo Embassy to immediately repatriate our people in the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohoma Japan. It’s our duty to take care our Overseas Filipinos wherever they are. I want them home now!
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 19, 2020
“I have ordered our Tokyo Embassy to immediately repatriate our people in the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohoma Japan. It’s our duty to take care our Overseas Filipinos wherever they are. I want them home now!” the country’s top diplomat wrote.
A total of 41 Filipinos aboard the cruise ship have tested positive of COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) announced earlier.
The DOH assured it is constantly coordinating with the Japanese government and hospitals where the infected Filipinos are confined.
Previously, the government repatriated 30 Filipinos from the Chinese province of Hubei, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. They, along with two consulate staff, have been in quarantine at the New Clark City Athletes’ Village in Capas, Tarlac.