Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Panelo: Careful study first before repatriating Filipinos from coronavirus-hit areas
Philippines
Panelo: Careful study first before repatriating Filipinos from coronavirus-hit areas
Panelo: Careful study first before repatriating Filipinos from coronavirus-hit areas
Published Jan 28, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The government will be “very cautious” in deciding whether or not to get Filipinos out of coronavirus-hit places in China, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the proposed repatriation of Filipinos from China will be carefully studied amid concerns such an option might unnecessarily spread the illness in the country.
"Unang-una, kaya nila nire-restrict para hindi mag-spread. Eh kung kukunin din natin at papapasukin dito, eh baka naman mag-spread naman dito sa atin (First of all, they imposed restrictions to curb the spread. If we get the Filipinos out of there, it might spread in the country) so, we have to be very cautious," he said in a Palace press briefing.
“We must consider the health issue on the spread. Ano bang mas makakabuti (Which is better) -- they’ll stay there for awhile until the crisis is over, or we’ll get them and bring them here and open the possibility of spreading it here?”
Asked if the government will repatriate Filipinos from other countries affected by the coronavirus, Panelo said: "Pag-aaralan lahat ‘yan, kasi nga (That will all be studied because) bringing them here might also open to spreading the disease unnecessarily. Pag-aaralan lahat ‘yan, kung ano ‘yung makakabuti (That will all be studied, what’s best to do)."
In case some Filipinos in Wuhan, where the virus reportedly originated, want to return to the country, Panelo said the government will provide assistance if possible. "If we can bring them here, then we will bring them here. We will have to do some protocols to make sure that if they have the disease they will not spread them."
He admitted that a possible repatriation of Filipinos might also be difficult given certain travel restrictions imposed by China. "Even if we want to repatriate them if there is a restriction on travel there, what can we do?"
"Mahirap din iyong repatriation kasi mayroon ding—ang Chinese government hindi nila pinapaalis iyong mga tao doon eh, to contain. Mayroon na nga silang mga… stopping certain flights from Wuhan. ‘Di ba ini-stop nila iyong pag-alis at pagpasok?” he added. (The repatriation may be difficult because the Chinese government has prohibited people from leaving the area to contain. They are stopping certain flights from Wuhan to curb entry and departure.)
Panelo said the President "will consider" the recommendation of the Department of Health if the repatriation of Filipinos will be implemented.
China has implemented tight measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, sealing off Wuhan and other cities where cases have been reported. A number of countries have reportedly sought to repatriate their people from the virus-affected Chinese cities.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the proposed repatriation of Filipinos from China will be carefully studied amid concerns such an option might unnecessarily spread the illness in the country.
"Unang-una, kaya nila nire-restrict para hindi mag-spread. Eh kung kukunin din natin at papapasukin dito, eh baka naman mag-spread naman dito sa atin (First of all, they imposed restrictions to curb the spread. If we get the Filipinos out of there, it might spread in the country) so, we have to be very cautious," he said in a Palace press briefing.
“We must consider the health issue on the spread. Ano bang mas makakabuti (Which is better) -- they’ll stay there for awhile until the crisis is over, or we’ll get them and bring them here and open the possibility of spreading it here?”
Asked if the government will repatriate Filipinos from other countries affected by the coronavirus, Panelo said: "Pag-aaralan lahat ‘yan, kasi nga (That will all be studied because) bringing them here might also open to spreading the disease unnecessarily. Pag-aaralan lahat ‘yan, kung ano ‘yung makakabuti (That will all be studied, what’s best to do)."
In case some Filipinos in Wuhan, where the virus reportedly originated, want to return to the country, Panelo said the government will provide assistance if possible. "If we can bring them here, then we will bring them here. We will have to do some protocols to make sure that if they have the disease they will not spread them."
He admitted that a possible repatriation of Filipinos might also be difficult given certain travel restrictions imposed by China. "Even if we want to repatriate them if there is a restriction on travel there, what can we do?"
"Mahirap din iyong repatriation kasi mayroon ding—ang Chinese government hindi nila pinapaalis iyong mga tao doon eh, to contain. Mayroon na nga silang mga… stopping certain flights from Wuhan. ‘Di ba ini-stop nila iyong pag-alis at pagpasok?” he added. (The repatriation may be difficult because the Chinese government has prohibited people from leaving the area to contain. They are stopping certain flights from Wuhan to curb entry and departure.)
Panelo said the President "will consider" the recommendation of the Department of Health if the repatriation of Filipinos will be implemented.
China has implemented tight measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, sealing off Wuhan and other cities where cases have been reported. A number of countries have reportedly sought to repatriate their people from the virus-affected Chinese cities.