By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki
There are at least 15 individuals of different nationalities currently stranded in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was enforced in Metro Manila. And while they are not prohibited from going out, they have no access to mass transportation and they also fear being robbed.
There are Filipinos, Chinese, Dutch, and Australians left stranded in the passenger area of NAIA, according to a Radyo Patrol report. They are already running out of funds, and face challenges as to where they will buy food and medicines.
A Chinese national, who has been stranded since March, tried going out to find a place to stay. However, he was robbed by a street kid who took his cell phone. Since losing his phone, the Chinese national no longer has access to family and friends back in China. He told airport security that he is changing clothes only once every two weeks now.
To recall, the Philippine government suspended flights to and from China since February in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This May 3, the government temporarily suspended all commercial flights to and from the country.
Meanwhile, the Dutch national stranded in NAIA is concerned over the maintenance medicine for his heart ailment, which is running low in stock. The Australian, meanwhile, has an offer to stay at a friend's house. But since there is no public transport, he has no way of going there.