1,000 OFWs in Japan repatriated due to COVID-19 pandemic -ambassador

Some 1,000 overseas Filipino workers in Japan have been repatriated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Jose Laurel V said Monday.

The number of repatriates is expected to increase as 126 Filipinos are still awaiting repatriation, Laurel said in a televised briefing.

“We’re still trying to arrange for their transportation,” Laurel said.

He also said no Filipino has died of COVID-19 in Japan, which has recorded over 17,000 cases and more than 900 deaths.

As of June 13, the Department of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the return to Manila of 41,867 Filipinos. Of this number, 24,000 are seafarers and over 17,500 are land-based OFWs.—AOL, GMA News