16 stranded Filipino sailors in China return home

Sixteen Filipino sailors who were stranded for several months in China amid the COVID-19 pandemic finally returned home to the Philippines on Tuesday.

According to Mai Bermudez’s report on “Unang Balita,” the seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport wearing full personal protective equipment.

They underwent swab testing before leaving the airport. They were then brought to a hotel in Pasig City while awaiting their test results.

Anthony Medina, one of the stranded sailors, said what happened to them was an experience they will never forget.

“Talagang ang kinakain din po namin doon ‘di po namin talaga kumbaga sa ano, ‘di na namin kayang ulitin ‘yong karanasan na ganoon. Talagang sobrang saklap po nangyari sa amin. Kahit pampaligo namin pangkatawan, walang-wala rin po kami talagang sea water ‘yong (ginagamit) namin,” Medina said.

Meanwhile, Albert Lopez said all they had to drink was filtered sea water.

“Filtered siya pero may halong kalawang kaya nagtitiis na lang kami. Iniinit naman at tsaka sinasalang,” he said.

Medina said they are hoping to receive their salaries soon as they do not know when they will board a ship again.

“Sana naman po maibigay nila ‘yong lahat ng pinaghirapan namin eh para po ‘yan sa pamilya namin,” he said.

The sailors also expressed gratitude to the national government and all those who helped them.

“Nagpapasalamat po talaga kami ng lubos dahil ‘di po sila tumigil hanggang huli, ‘di po sila bumitiw. Binigyan din po kami ng relief goods at tsaka po ‘yong mga tawag namin lagi nilang sinasagot,” Lopez said.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said 11 of the 16 seafarers were from Ocean Star 86, which have been docked in Dongshan since March 2020. They were joined by five seafarers on board M/V Maria P., which has been stranded in Ningde since July 2020.

The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, the DFA said, has been providing them welfare assistance and ensured that their salaries and other entitlements are provided for by their employer. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/MDM, GMA News