National Task Force Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon has contradicted the reported hostage-like situation and bringing of foreigners and returning Filipinos to an abandoned hotel on Wednesday.
Dizon explained that passengers who arrived from countries covered by the current travel restrictions need to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. They were eventually brought to Canyon Woods in Batangas for free accommodation and food.
“Mayroon kasing napapabalita na hino-hostage daw ang ating mga kababayan at ilang mga dayuhan. Hindi naman ito totoo (There are reports that some of our countrymen and foreigners are being held hostage. This is not true),” he stated.
“Although hindi siya five-star hotel, hindi naman po marumi at maayos naman po at matagal na pong ginagamit ito ng ating mga kababayang umuuwi (Although it is not a five-star hotel, it is not dirty and it is neat and has been in use by returning Filipinos for a long time),” he added.
Dizon clarified that returning Filipinos are given the option to use other hotels according to their preference but the expenses will no longer be shouldered by the government. More than half of the passengers brought to Canyon Woods have been transported for free to other hotels, according to Dizon. – Report from Karen Villanda
