21 stranded Filipino seafarers return to PH from Ukraine

From the Twitter post of Foreign Affairs Usec. Sarah Lou Ysmael Arriola

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one Filipino seafarers who were stranded in Ukraine in view of the ongoing crisis there returned to the Philippines on Tuesday, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said.

“DFA welcomes the arrival of the 21 stranded seafarers of the vessel MV S Breeze,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said in a tweet.

The bulk carrier M/V S-Breeze has been in the dry dock for repairs at the Ilyichevsk Ship Yard in the Port of Odessa, Ukraine, since January 27, the DFA earlier said.

DFA welcomes the arrival of the 21 stranded seafarers of the vessel MV S Breeze. They crossed from Ukraine to Moldova through the assistance of Honorary Consul Gaina. @teddyboylocsin @DFAPHL pic.twitter.com/tcaLgxK1b6

— Sarah Lou Ysmael Arriola (@slyarriola) March 8, 2022

The crew had been staying in the vessel’s accommodations with enough provisions but requested repatriation due to the worsening conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The seafarers crossed from Ukraine to Moldova before they were eventually repatriated to the Philippines.

They were assisted by Honorary Consul Victor Gaina of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Chisinau, Moldova, Arriola said.

With the 21 seafarers coming home to the Philippines, there are now over 50 Filipinos who have been evacuated since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in late February.

On Monday, the DFA raised the crisis alert level in Ukraine to 4, enforcing the mandatory evacuation of Filipinos from the eastern European country at the expense of the Philippine government.

JPV