Family of Highland woman fearing arrest in Philippines amid tightening coronavirus restrictions calls on UK to rescue its citizens
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A young Highland woman stranded in the Philippines fears she could be arrested as the country goes into lockdown due to coronavirus.
Shenan Davis, whose parents Mark and Denise live near Kiltarlity, is a month into a year-long trip travelling and working in south east Asia and Oceania.
But the 24-year-old former Charleston Academy pupil has found herself stuck in the province of Cebu despite efforts over the past two weeks to return to the UK.
She and her family have spent about £3000 booking flights for her to return to the UK, only for them to be cancelled.
With hostels and hotels closing, along with cafés and shops, she is worried about what will happen next, especially as her visa is about to expire.
Her mother, a social care worker, has spoken to Shenan today and said her daughter was in tears.
"She is in a hostel as she has no valid flight, isn’t permitted to go the airport without a valid ticket and she is terrified now of getting arrested," Ms Davis said.
"She has made friends with several Germans, all of whom are flying home tomorrow and being transferred from the hostel to the airport as the German government is rescuing its citizens.
"That is what we should be doing here."
Her daughter had also told her other fellow travellers had left Cebu to stay in a property closer to the airport in the hope of being able to get a flight by calling in daily.
But soon after arriving, the authorities turned up and instructed them not to leave the property for 14 days – or they would be arrested.
Ms Davis is calling on the UK government to do more repatriate its citizens.
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