61 Filipinos repatriated from Indonesia, Ukraine

61 Filipinos repatriated from Indonesia, Ukraine
Bernadette E. Tamayo March 16, 2022 https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/03/16/news/61-filipinos-repatriated-fro...

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has repatriated 7 distressed Filipinos in Manado, Indonesia and 54 seafarers in Ukraine.

The Philippine Consulate General in Manado repatriated 7 Filipinos on March 12 who survived the sinking of their boat off Tahuna Island, North Sulawesi in October 2021.

Philippine Consul General to Manado Angelica Escalona visited them regularly in immigration facilities and delivered basic necessities while awaiting clearance from Indonesian immigration authorities for their repatriation.

The DFA on March 14 repatriated 54 seafarers from Ukraine. This brought to 247 the total number of seafarers repatriated from Ukraine since February 27 while 14 were expected to arrive on March 15.

The group consisted of 14 seafarers of M/V Bolten Ithaki, seven seafarers of M/V Ithaca Prospect, 12 seafarers of M/V Polar Star, and 21 seafarers of M/V Riva Wind.

"This was the biggest group so far since the start of the evacuation and repatriation of Filipino seafarers from Ukraine," the DFA said in a statement.

Philippine Ambassador to Budapest Frank Cimafranca and Philippine Honorary Consul Victor Gaina of Chisinau, Moldova, have been monitoring 23 ships in affected areas that are manned by Filipinos.

Two of these, including the Yasa Jupiter and M/V Namura Queen, were both hit by shelling in the Black Sea and left a Filipino seafarer hurt, the Foreign Affairs department said.

The DFA said it was "continuously working towards the evacuation and eventual repatriation of approximately 97 seafarers of the remaining six vessels."