21 Pinoy seafarers from Ukraine arrive in the Philippines —DFA

A total of 21 Filipino crew of the MV S-Breeze vessel from Chornomosk, Ukraine arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a tweet, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said they welcomed the 21 stranded seafarers who crossed from Ukraine to Moldova through the assistance of Philippine Honorary Consul in Moldova Victor Gaina.

The said seafarers had been in drydock for repairs at the Ilyichevsk Ship Yard in the Port of Odessa, Ukraine since January 27.

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

They were transported to the Republic of Moldova in two batches on February 27 and on March 1, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Budapest.

Aside from the seafarers, DFA earlier said there were six more Filipinos evacuated from Ukraine to Moldova.

On Sunday, 17 Filipinos, including their families, also arrived in the Philippines after evacuating from Ukraine.

As of Monday’s report, Russia declined to attend a hearing at the United Nation’s top court at which Ukraine is asking for an immediate order to halt the conflict between them.—AOL, GMA News