DFA monitors stranded Filipinos' status in Peru

The number of Filipinos who got stranded in Peru​ as political protests erupted on Monday rose from one to three, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

One of the two new Filipinos who were unable to leave the country in the South American region was a tourist who was part of a group from Dubai that got stranded in the Inca Trail.

The Filipino tourist is now awaiting a flight from Cusco to the capital city, Lima, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.

The other one was a ship captain who got stranded in the province of Arequipa. The Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile, which has jurisdiction over Peru, has been in contact with him since December 17, Daza said.

"He is scheduled for a flight on 21 December," she added.

On Friday, December 16, DFA first reported that a Filipino backpacker could not leave Peru as protests over the ousting of Peruvian former president Pedro Castillo erupted early last week.

Daza saidthe 24-year-old Filipino national got stranded in the historic site of Machu Picchu due to the recent closure of Cusco International Airport.

“He sounded well and in good condition. He said he plans to continue with his travel in the region as soon as flights to Lima resume,” Daza said.

Daza said the government's post is now monitoring the three stranded Filipinos through the Consulate and the Filipino Community in Lima.