Taiwan's countermeasures could include ending visa-waiver program or restricting number of Philippine migrant workers
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/02/13
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Philippine passport. (Flickr user Wellingtonstravel)
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Philippine Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo intends to make a final announcement Friday (Feb. 14) on whether to maintain a ban on Taiwanese traveling to the Philippines — while the Taiwan government prepares countermeasures if the ban remains in place.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Feb. 2 that a travel ban would be imposed on all foreigners who had visited China and its special administrative regions in the previous 14 days. However, on Monday (Feb. 10), Domingo abruptly announced that all visitors from Taiwan would also be subject to the ban, based on the Philippines' "one China" policy.
At a press conference, Domingo clarified that Taiwan was included in the ban based on the WHO map. “As far as the health community is concerned and the WHO is concerned, Taiwan is part of China,” ABC-CBN News quoted him as saying.
This sudden announcement led to complete chaos, as many flights from Taiwan to the Philippines were suddenly canceled and hundreds of Taiwanese passengers found themselves trapped at customs in various Philippine airports. Three major travel agencies stated that nearly 500 Taiwanese tourists were stranded at customs in Cebu, Kalibo, and Manila International Airports. [FULL STORY]