MANILA, PHILIPPINES-Tuesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced all non-native Filipinos will return to their countries of residence in the coming days.
The Church released a statement on Tuesday saying that because of a new directive from the Philippines’ government, and because of their inability to carry out the service, all missionaries not native to the Philippines are being moved out of that country.
The missionaries will begin their new assignments after completing a 14-day period of self isolation at home as a precaution.
The proclamation for foreign missionaries to leave the country was filed at the same time the Filipinos began to be proactive in controlling the spread of this coronavirus.
In the meantime, the Philippines has placed 50 million residents, nearly half of the country’s population, under an “enhanced community quarantine” in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
Luzon, the largest most populous island in the nation, which houses the capital city of Manila, has been effectively locked down.
All mass public transportation has been suspended and residents have been told they can only leave home for essential items per CNN Philippines.
The Church has always done well in the Philippines with missionary work commencing there during the Spanish-American War of 1898.
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, dedicated the islands for missionary work in April 1961.
The Philippines consists of nearly 24 missions and has temples in Manila and Cebu City.
Future temples have been announced for, or are under construction in, Urdaneta City, Alabang, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Bacolod.
