DOJ sets up special team to handle OFW repatriation from Hubei

The Philippine government has set up a special team to handle the repatriation and immigration procedures for Filipino workers (OFWs) from Hubei province in China, where a new strain of coronavirus is spreading.

The team, composed of immigration officers, will conduct thorough checks on the identity of every returning OFW to prevent any potential health risks.

According to Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, the team has undergone briefings by the Bureau of Quarantine and will be provided with necessary protective gear.

There are 300 Filipinos in Hubei, half of whom are in Wuhan City, and 50 have expressed their desire to return home as of Tuesday night.

The Philippine consulate in Shanghai has been ordered to start processing Filipinos in Hubei who wish to be repatriated.

Immigration formalities will still be necessary for the returning OFWs, with authorities verifying the identity of every person entering the country.

The special team aims to prevent any compromise to national security and ensure a smooth repatriation process.