Palace thanks Japan for assistance on repatriation of Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday expressed its gratitude to the Japanese government for assisting in the repatriation of Filipinos who were aboard the quarantined cruise ship M/V Diamond Princess.

“We thank the Japanese Government for the assistance they gave to our countrymen and their close cooperation with Filipino officials to ensure that the needs of our kababayans have been addressed,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“Let us pray for this second batch of repatriates, as well as of the members of the repatriation team, and hope that everything will turn out well,” he added.

Panelo also confirmed the arrival of 445 Filipinos in the country via two chartered flights, the first carrying 309 passengers, and the second carrying 136 passengers.

The repatriates were immediately transferred to the quarantine facility in New Clark City, Panelo added.

“The Office of the President confirms that two chartered flights, carrying 445 Filipino crew members and passengers of the MV Diamond Princess cruise ship, have arrived safely in the Philippines,” Panelo said.

“The planes landed last night in Clark Air Base and upon the arrival of the repatriated Filipinos, they were immediately brought to the New Clark City Quarantine Facility,” he added.

The repatriates from Japan are the second batch of Filipinos the government assisted to return to the country following Filipinos from Wuhan City in Hubei province, China, the epicenter of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Some 30 Filipinos who have earlier been repatriated from Wuhan, meanwhile, recently completed their 14-day quarantine in New Clark City.

Edited by EDV