Three Ilonggo seafarers whose vessel got hit during an airstrike at the Black Sea on the side of Ukraine may return home finally, soon.

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Iloilo said 11 Filipino seafarers have left for Romania on July 28, 2026 to replace the Filipinos who will be repatriated, including the three Ilonggo seafarers.

The Ilonggo seafarers are from Iloilo City and the towns of Dingle and Miag-ao.

Following the incident at the Black Sea, the families of at least three seafarers sought the help of the Iloilo Provincial Government for their loved ones’ safe return home.

“First request was to expedite the repatriation in which ito ang development. And, secondly, kapag dumating na sila sa Iloilo, maybe we fetch them sa airport at initial maka-validate tayo sa kanila,” said Cynthia Dario, head of PESO Iloilo.

The provincial government will provide psychological and financial assistance to the distressed seafarers.

The Iloilo City government is also ready to help three of the 11 seafarers who are from Barangay Ortiz.

"Na-standby lang kami sa aming tanggapan kung ma-reach out na si DMW at OWWA. Pero constant communication kami,” said Gab Umadhay, head of PESO in Iloilo City.

Earlier, other Filipino seafarers affected by tensions in the Black Sea have returned home safely. 

According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), nine ships carrying 139 Filipino seafarers were attacked by drone strikes while passing through ports in Ukraine and Russia.