THE mayor of Capas town, where the New Clark City (NCC) is situated, has apologized to his constituents for the arrival of some 444 crew members of the Grand Princess cruise from the United States last Monday, March 16.
"I sincerely apologize to my fellow Capasenos for I have no other recourse but to heed the greater calling for our country and people," Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan said.
The repatriates reportedly arrived within Clark International Airport at dawn Monday, March 16. Some of them, who were classified as patients under investigation (PUIs) by the Department of Health, were transferred to various hospitals in the region.
A source said that 11 Chinese nationals who arrived in Clark airport with the Filipino crew members were held at the quarantine area controlled by the local government unit of Pampanga.
The Chinese were later escorted to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by a team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG).
Catacutan reiterated his appeal to his constituents to remain calm and show their love to the people undergoing quarantine at the NCC.
"As the country embark on a national medical emergency amidst the serious and grave threat brought about by Covid-19, I as a private citizen can only hold on to God, for Him to heal and save our people and our land," the mayor said.
The repatriates at the moment need understanding from the people of Capas, who are truly loving persons, according to Catacutan.
"My duty as mayor puts me in a very challenging situation where I have to strike the balance between my duty to my country and to the Capasenos," the mayor said.
"If only I can, within my limited power as mayor, I will definitely not forsake my own people, my beloved Capasenos, unfortunately over and above all these considerations is my being part of the bigger picture of public governance. I cannot segregate Capas from the rest of the country which needs selflessness and unrelenting support to the national and global effort to combat Covid-19," he added.