Chinese names in list of OFWs tested for COVID-19 stump Filipinos

A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated amid the pandemic were baffled to find out that several Chinese names were on the list of repatriates who tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras,” a group of over 100 OFWs have been stuck in a hotel since arriving in the country on April 1 because their COVID-19 test results are yet to be released.

Edwin, one of the repatriates in the group, said they had already changed hotels thrice.

They were finally swabbed on May 15 but they are still awaiting clearance to go home.

“Tumatawag naman kami sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), ang sinabi lang, ando’n na ‘yung result namin, hindi pa na-encode,” said Edwin.

“Tinatanong ko sila kagabi, ‘Sir, paano ‘yan? Nandiyan na pala ‘yung result namin e, hindi pa na-encode. Bakit hindi pa pinalabas sir? Lalo lang kami pinapatagal dito sa hotel e,’” he added.

Another OFW sent GMA News a list of repatriates who have tested negative for COVID-19, which had several Chinese names.

A PCG official pointed to the Philippine Red Cross as the source of the test results.

The Red Cross, on the other hand, said they merely processed the samples that were sent to them by the PCG.

“‘Yun ang masakit isipin e. Samantalang ‘yung mga Pinoy naghihirap na, tapos ang nangyayari sa’min parang natatabunan na. Hindi naman namin ginusto to e,” Edwin lamented. —LDF, GMA News