Filipinos from Taiwan held for refusing quarantine, Manila mulls lifting ban

Seventy-eight Filipino passengers from Taiwan were held at Mactan Cebu International Airport on February 12 for refusing quarantine after arriving in Cebu.

The Philippines included Taiwan in its travel ban due to the novel coronavirus, despite Taiwan's assertion of independence and objections from manpower agencies representing overseas Filipino workers.

Taiwan expressed 'grave concern' over being included in the ban, stating it is a sovereign state not part of China.

President Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippines would only lift the ban if recommended by the World Health Organization.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office argued that Taiwan should be treated as an independent nation due to its trade relations with the Philippines.