More than 80 seafarers quarantined for 2 months in Manila plead to return home

More than 80 Filipino seafarers who have been stranded in Manila for over two months appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte for help so they can return to their hometowns.

“Mahal na pangulo, hindi kami lumabag sa utos mo. Sinunod namin lahat kaya lang nananawagan kami na tugunan ang aming panawagan na makauwi sa aming probinsya,” a seaman said in Chino Gaston’s 24 Oras report on Sunday.

The group said they have been stuck in their dormitory in Malate for over two months already and are still awaiting their COVID-19 test results.

The seafarers pay P220 a day for accommodation and are being given food by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

However, they also condemned the unfair processing of the test results.

“Sumama ‘yong loob ko ngayon dahil bakit sabay kami noong time na ‘yon, parehas ‘yong oras, pagpasok namin sa loob. After three days, siya lang lumabas at tsaka ‘yong isang kasama ko, ako lang naiwan,” Ronald Bustalino said.

Meanwhile, some seafarers who already tested negative said they cannot find their names on the list posted on the Philippine Coast Guard’s website.

“Mayroon na akong clearance. Ang problema, ‘di kami maka-register sa online ‘yong uwian online ba dahil hindi kasama ito sa list ng mga dorm,” a seafarer said.

Moreover, the PCG said around 8,000 seafarers cannot be issued quarantine clearances because patients failed to fill in the complete address of their dorms and hotels during testing.

“Hindi namin magawan ng clearance kasi walang mga address. Walang address kung saan dadalhin, at tsaka ‘di namin magawa, ‘di namin alam kanino ipapadala,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said.

Balilo said seafarers can call the PCG at 527-8481 or 527-6291, or at 0998 589 3982 or 0917 842 4980, to confirm their names on the list. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News