MANILA, Philippines — More than 300 Filipino seafarers from cruise ships in Italy returned to the Philippines on Palm Sunday as part of repatriation efforts for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

DFA welcomed the 322 seafarers, who worked in cruise ships Costa Diadema and Costa Victoria, both docked in Italy.

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“DFA welcomed home tonight’s latest arrival of 322 seafarers from Italy — 114 from Costa Diadema and 208 from Costa Victoria,” the DFA said on Twitter.

As of Sunday, the DFA has organized the repatriation of almost 5,000 Filipino seafarers. It will repatriate more seafarers this Holy Week.

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