Pinoy seafarers lament being stranded in China for 17 months due to legal proceedings

Pinoy seafarers lament being stranded in China for 17 months due to legal proceedings
June 18, 2021 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/news/792055/pinoy-seafarers-...

A group of Filipino seafarers lamented being stranded in China for 17 months after their vessel was involved in legal proceedings.
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The seamen narrated their experiences during a House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs briefing on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on OFWs, according to a report by Cedric Castillo on Balitanghali on Friday.

"Thirteen of us who are crew members... After getting discharged, we were detained and were held hostage by the Chinese government," claimed seafarer Leonardo Lansang Jr. in Filipino.

"We could not do anything because our passports were taken by the Chinese court," Lansang added.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) admitted that they could not set a date when the Filipino seafarers could go back home due to COVID-19 travel restrictions between China and the Philippines.