MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has repatriated 174 Filipino seafarers affected by attacks on commercial ships in the Northern Black Sea and ordered a temporary halt on crew deployments to the conflict-stricken region, a cabinet official said Wednesday.
Drone and missile strikes on 20 vessels in the area have impacted 282 Filipino crew members, resulting in three deaths and leaving one missing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told reporters upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport.
Of the total affected, approximately 261 are safe and unharmed. With 174 already back in the Philippines, roughly 70% of the displaced crews have returned home.
Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Department of Migrant Workers directed manning agencies and shipowners to suspend sending Filipino crews to the Northern Black Sea. The suspension is subject to a 15-day review and was issued following security assessments by Philippine defense and foreign affairs agencies.
“Of course, they can proceed if there are no Filipino seafarers on board, but not yet if there are Filipino seafarers on board,” Cacdac said. “That’s our directive for now.”
Cacdac recently concluded a trip to Romania, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye to oversee the welfare and repatriation of the workers.
He confirmed that the remains of one of the three deceased sailors have been returned to the Philippines. The body of a second sailor, currently in Tulcea, Romania, is scheduled to arrive Friday, while arrangements are underway to repatriate the third.
The remaining stranded seafarers are being flown home in batches from departure points in Romania and Turkiye. The Philippine government is coordinating alongside shipowners, licensed manning agencies and foreign authorities to facilitate the travel.
“The time will come when all of them will be able to go home,” Cacdac said.
During his overseas trip, Cacdac also conducted prison and hospital visits to offer government assistance to detained and ailing Filipino workers and their families.
