By Roy Mabasa
The first and second batches of chartered planes ferrying more than 400 Filipino crewmen of the COVID19-hit M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship are now on their way back to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in an updated media bulletin on Tuesday.
(AFP Photo/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)
Some 311 of the Diamond Princess crew members were brought home via the first special Philippine Airlines chartered flight that is expected to arrive at Clark airport at around 9 p.m. tonight.
The number, according to the DFA, excludes two of its officials and four Department of Health medical personnel accompanying the flight.
The second flight is bringing home around 140 Filipinos of the remaining crew members and is likely to land in Clark before 12 midnight on Tuesday.