150 Gujarat students stranded near Manila

RAJKOT: Close to 150 students from Gujarat are stranded in a city near Philippines capital Manila after the government of India suspended flights to several coronavirus-hit countries including those in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines is the one of the worst-affected countries by Covid-19 and President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity for a period of six months after 12 deaths and nearly 142 positive cases.
According to Indians residing there, the government has shut down Manila and its surrounding cities since March 12. The country gave 72 hours starting Monday evening local time to foreign citizens to leave the country.
Saytayjeetsinh Rana, a native of Surendranagar, who is stranded there told TOI over phone, “We are stranded as flights to Malaysia and Singapore, which are the most preferred route to fly to India, have been suspended. Some students who left are stuck in Malaysia. We have approached Indian embassy and requested for evacuation, but there has been no response yet.”
Limited food stock with stranded students
Milind Patel, a student from Godhra, said, “There are nearly 150 Gujarati students in our college. We are very scared due to the spreading epidemic. We are vegetarians and the food stock is also limited.”
Milind and Rana are MBBS students at University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the City of Las Piñas, roughly 27 km from Manila. The duo live in a rented apartment with four other students.
Rana’s father Girirajsinh told TOI, “Initially, our children did not tell us the seriousness of the situation as they didn’t want us to worry. They were trying to return but when all the options were closed, they informed us today noon. I am contacting other parents after which we will approach the government for help.”
Students said that the city has been locked down and curfew declared during the night time. The educational institutes are shut till April 12 and this may be extended too.
Some students are also facing visa extension problems as they have to renew it every year.