MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs repatriated on Good Friday from the United States and Europe more than 1,400 Filipino seamen and cruise ship crew members displaced by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic around the world.
The first of five batches to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport were 440 seafarers of the Norwegian Pearl, Sky and Sun cruise ships from the United States.
Next came 450 seafarers of the Carnival Fantasy, Freedom, Glory, Legend and Valor cruise ships, also from the United States.
The third batch were 275 seamen from London.
Next came 265 crewmen from the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
The last batch of 16 seafarers came from Lisbon, Portugal. All will undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
—Jerome Aning