405 stranded individuals returning to Iloilo via PH Navy ship

MANILA, Philippines — Four hundred five locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Metro Manila on Monday boarded a Philippine Navy vessel that will ferry them back to Iloilo province.

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The BRP Davao Del Sur, which left South Harbor’s Pier 13 in Manila, will also deliver over 2,000 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to Cebu.

Iloilo-bound passengers wave while aboard the BRP Davao del Sur as it leaves Manila South Harbor on Monday. The vessel also carried medical equipment that will be delivered to Cebu. (Photo from Philippine Navy.)

The Navy said three of the 405 LSIs were repatriates from India and Sri Lanka.

LSIs will only be allowed to disembark at the Port of Iloilo since Cebu City bans entry of people after it was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

There were originally 450 LSIs listed for the trip, but some tested positive for COVID-19 while others who were bound for Cebu City did not push through due to ECQ rules, the Navy said.

Prior to transporting LSIs and medical supplies, BRP Davao Del Sur was deployed in the Middle East for five months.

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