Safety of Pinoys reason for Taiwan travel ban, not politics —Panelo

The safety of Filipinos is the major consideration why the Philippine government has included Taiwan on its list of countries where travel restrictions must be enforced amid the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to Malacañang on Thursday.

In an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo denied that Taiwan was included because of the "One China" policy.

"Hindi 'yun ang dahilan," he said. "Kung ang nakataya na ay kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan, 'yun ang magiging primary consideration."

On Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified that the travel ban for visitors coming in from China, Hong Kong, and Macau also applies to Taiwan.

OFWs in the Philippines who had been bound for Taiwan were offloaded from their flights on Tuesday.

"When we asked the World Health Organization very, very clearly, they always refer to just one China and Taiwan is included, even in their official reports," Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said.

The WHO refers to Taiwan as "Taipei and the environs" in its situation reports. It is listed under China.

Taiwan, meanwhile, has maintained its independence from China.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei warned that the Taiwanese government is mulling retaliatory measures against the Philippines for imposing a travel ban amid the outbreak.

“Hindi naman sila kasama doon sa naunang travel advisory noong February 2. Ngayon, dinagdag sila, lumalabas [na] ang dahilan talaga… ay One China Policy na siyang matinding kinasasama ng loob ng Taiwanese government,” MECO Chairman Lito Banayo had said.

“Imagine kung hindi nai-renew ang kanilang work contracts or ‘yung factories dito ay magbawas ng Pilipino… those are possible retaliatory measures,” he said.

"The decision is held in abeyance while waiting for the reaction of the Philippine government," he added.

Panelo added that President Rodrigo Duterte will stand by his decision.

“Si Presidente, maninindigan do’n sa kanyang naging desisyon,” he said.

However, he added Duterte needs more time to decide whether or not to lift the travel ban.

"Sabi nga ni Presidente pag-aaralan niya. Sabi niya 'Bigyan inyo ako ng panahon dahil hindi madaling magdesisyon sa isang maselang bagay lalo na ang pinag-uusapan ay kaligtasan ng mga kababayan natin," he said.

There are around 160,000 Filipinos in Taiwan, according to the MECO. — Dona Magsino with Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News