GOVPH

DFA Consular Office in Zamboanga Assists Stranded Foreigners in Western Mindanao

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Foreign nationals stranded in Western Mindanao boards the Philippine Military Aircraft which will fly them from Zamboanga City to Manila (DFA Zamboanga CO photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY 23 April 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Consular Office (CO) in Zamboanga, teamed up with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to assist foreign nationals who have been stranded in Western Mindanao due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed in Luzon and in some parts of the country.

A total of 20 passengers composed of American, Canadian, Syrian, and German nationals were flown from Zamboanga City to Manila aboard a Philippine military aircraft on 19 April 2020. A total of six Indonesians were also ferried from Isabela, Basilan to Zamboanga City last 14 April 2020 before they were flown to Manila aboard the C-295 military plane on the same day.

The DFA and DOT closely coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Western Mindanao Command, local government units (LGUs), and other concerned agencies to facilitate the transit, which subsequently provided better chances for the foreign nationals to reach international and recovery flights in Manila on time.

The DFA Consular Office in Zamboanga Officer-In-Charge Maria Annette F. Aquino-Herrera, DOT Assistant Secretary and concurrent Regional Director Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, and Major General Marcelino Randy Tibayan spearheaded the send-off for the foreigners at the Edwin and Andrews Air Base.

Additionally, three stranded foreigners in Zamboanga City were assisted by the DFA, DOT, and City Tourism Office as part of the recovery flight arranged by the Spanish government. In coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), a chartered plane carrying the stranded Spanish nationals departed Zamboanga City International Airport at 11:20 A.M. on 21 April 2020.

The plane flew to Caticlan to ferry other stranded Spanish nationals before landing in Manila, where temporary accommodation was likewise provided as they await for the recovery flight bound for Madrid.

All passengers complied with the safety protocols relevant to COVID-19 before they were allowed to join the flight.

More recovery flights for stranded foreign nationals who wish to return to their home countries are expected to be facilitated in the coming days. END

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