MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-four Filipino seafarers from Ukraine arrived in the Philippines on Monday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
According to a statement from DFA on Tuesday, 14 of the seafarers were from MV Bolten Ithaki, seven seafarers from MV Ithaca Prospect, 12 from MV Polar Star, and 21 from MV Riva Wind.
The DFA said this is the biggest group of repatriates so far since the start of the evacuation of Filipino seafarers from Ukraine.
On March 14, DFA welcomed the arrival of 54 seafarers from Ukraine. Fourteen of them came from MV Bolten Ithaki; 7 from MV Ithaca Prospect ; 12 from MV Polar Star & 21 from MV Riva Wind. @teddyboylocsin @DFAPHL pic.twitter.com/E65mscR2CV
— Sarah Lou Ysmael Arriola (@slyarriola) March 14, 2022
So far, the Philippine government has repatriated 247 Filipino seafarers from Ukraine since February 27 amid the military actions of Russia there. Fourteen others are expected to arrive this Tuesday.
The DFA, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Budapest and the Philippine Honorary Consul in Moldova, has been monitoring 23 ships in affected areas that are manned by Filipinos. According to the department, the MV Yasa Jupiter and MV Namura Queen were hit by shelling in the Black Sea and left a Filipino seafarer injured.
The DFA assured it is continuously working to evacuate and repatriate around 97 seafarers of the remaining six vessels in Ukraine.
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