PH Embassy in Canberra, Consulate General in Sydney Assist in the Repatriation of 360 Filipino Crew Members from Australia

Filipino crew members of the Ruby Princess cruise ship check-in for their flight back to the Philippines. (Canberra PE photo)

CANBERRA 24 April 2020  – The Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney assisted around 360 Filipino crew members of the Ruby Princess cruise ship on 23 April 2020. The repatriates boarded a special chartered Cebu Pacific flight from Sydney back to the Philippines.

The Ruby Princess had been docked in Port Kembla, south of Sydney, since 06 April 2020 with its crew, including over 500 Filipino nationals, onboard under quarantine. Several crew members were disembarked during that period to receive special medical attention, while the rest remained on the ship as they underwent necessary health monitoring and examinations.  

Australian and New South Wales police and health authorities, together with cruise line operator Carnival Australia and the ship’s local manning agency, worked with the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Australia towards the continuing care and subsequent safe repatriation of the Filipinos.  All those who boarded the chartered flight had been cleared to travel back to the Philippines by the Australian offices. Over 100 Filipino nationals remained on board as essential crew required to operate the vessel towards its next destination.    

Philippine Consul General in Sydney Ezzedin Tago and Labor Attaché Cynthia Lamban were on- hand to see the Filipinos off from Sydney International Airport. They both mentioned that the repatriates appeared to be in good spirits and eager to get home.

“We are happy at today’s result–as it provides a measure of certainty as to the future and welfare of our Filipino nationals”, said Consul General Tago. “We are thankful to all the Philippine and Australian offices involved for working out an outcome that will bring Filipinos back to their homes and families,” he added. END            

For more information, visit https://www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.