日: 2020年2月18日
Gov’t implementing voluntary repatriation on Filipinos in cruise ship
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) said the government will be implementing a voluntary repatriation on the Diamond Princess, where there are 538 Filipinos, docked off Yokohama.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the government will repatriate those who will be requesting repatriation from the government.
The two-week quarantine period imposed by Japanese authorities on the ship ends on Wednesday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said ”the Japanese government is scheduled to announce today the disembarkation procedures for the end of the ship’s quarantine period.”
As to the Filipinos quarantined at the M/V Diamond Princess, the IATF-EID said that the government will be implementing a voluntary repatriation.
Duque said the task force decided to repatriate only those, who will be requesting repatriation from the Philippine government.
“We ensure our kababayans aboard the M/V Diamond Princess that your health and well-being is of utmost importance,” said Duque.
The DFA reports that as of Tuesday, the number of Filipinos onboard the cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 is at 35.
”This includes eight new cases, who are all crew members, confirmed Tuesday”, the DFA said.
The Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 were immediately transferred to Japanese hospitals and being treated. the DFA said.
”The Embassy constantly communicates with all patients currently confined in Japanese hospitals to ensure their well-being and to provide assistance,”the DFA added.
”As such, the Embassy is coordinating with all relevant Philippine and Japanese government agencies and is meeting with senior management representatives of Princess Cruises to ensure an orderly and safe repatriation of Filipinos once they clear the Japanese quarantine requirements,” the DFA added. DMS
PMA alumni homecoming won’t be open to public and media
Due to the threat of the novel coronavirus, the alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) this year will not be open to the public, the academy spokesperson said on Tuesday.
“It (PMA alumni homecoming) will push through on February 22, 2020, however, it will be a private gathering of the alumni and their immediate families,” said Capt. Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, Tuesday.
“It will not be opened for the media and the general public,” she added.
Tindog did not say if this is the first time the event will not be open to the public and media but she emphasized the decision to limit the number of attendees was part of the PMA’s measure against the NCov.
“I’m not sure if it’s first time. PMA is more than a hundred and twenty years already. I was not able to trace back if there was a point that it was not open for media and the public,” she said.
“But this is again part of the academy’s measures against the spread of COVID-19 that is why as much as possible we are limiting the crowd from going inside Fort del Pilar,” she added. Robina Asido/DMS
Palace says alleged ouster vs Duterte wishful thinking
Malacanang downplayed on Tuesday talks about the supposed ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte, saying they were just “wishful thinking.”
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte still enjoys the support of the majority of Filipinos.
“That’s a wishful thinking. It’s a pipe dream. It will never come to fruition. Filipinos, majority or overwhelming of…they are supportive of the President,” he said.
There were reports that some groups were planning to oust Duterte by encouraging the people through social media to participate in the mass actions against him.
Among the issues being raised against Duterte were the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, the spread of the coronavirus, and press freedom amid the non-action yet on the ABS-CBN franchise, among others.
Panelo said the military is also “hundred percent” in support of Duterte.
Asked about some soldiers who were disappointed about the VFA termination, he said, “You’re speculating, we don’t know that. Let them speak their minds.” Celerina Monte/DMS
Palace blames “flaws” on intelligence gathering for Espenido’s inclusion in drug watchlist
Malacanang blamed on Tuesday the supposed “flaws” in the intelligence gathering for the inclusion of Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido in the drug watchlist.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte trusts Espenido, one of his poster boys on his war on drugs.
“It’s not unexpected that there may be some flaws in intelligence gathering. That happens. Sometimes they’re even intentional, you are being fed with the wrong info coming from those who are against a particular officer and if it gets into the system, it will come out,” he said.
Asked if Espenido could be a victim, he said, “Could be, because the President says that’s black propaganda as far as he’s concerned. He’s a victim.”
Earlier reports said Espenido was included in the list of 357 policemen who were allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
But Duterte, through Panelo, earlier said Espenido was “clean.”
Despite the removal of some names of cops in the supposed watchlist, Panelo still described the drug list of the administration as “credible.”
He also said that the matter has no effect on the government’s overall anti-drug war. Celerina Monte/DMS