Russians on holiday, but trapped in Palawan by COVID-19 restrictions rescued by ‘sweeper flight’

Russian nationals stranded in Palawan were flown out of the province in a “sweeper flight” Tuesday evening. (Photo courtesy of the Tactical Operations West – Western Command)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—At least 18 Russians had flown out of Palawan on Tuesday (March 24) on a flight of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) that officials called “sweeper.”

Winston Arzaga, Palawan information officer, said on Wednesday (March 25) that the special flight was requested by the Russian embassy through Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

The Russians, according to Arzaga, had been on a holiday in the Palawan towns of El Nido, San Vicente and the city of Puerto Princesa.

He said the Russians sought rescue from their embassy when several towns in Palawan went on lockdown and the Russians got trapped.

The PAF aircraft landed at the Puerto Princesa International Airport past 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Russians disembarked at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu province where a chartered flight was waiting to bring them back to their country.

Arzaga said at least 324 more foreigners are stuck in Palawan.

The Department of Tourism, in an advisory on March 20, said the so-called sweeper flights were arranged for foreign nationals trapped by travel bans in the Philippines.

Edited by TSB