Two Filipino seafarers were killed, 12 were injured, and two are currently missing following drone strikes in the southern Ukraine region, reported the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday afternoon.
In a press briefing, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that as of July 20, nine ships carrying Filipino seafarers were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mostly while transiting or at ports in Ukraine and Russia.
“We are sad to report that there have been two fatalities out of these attacks, 12 injured, and one missing, underscoring the increasingly volatile security environment in the Black Sea,” he said.
Cacdac revealed that the attacks mainly targeted bulk carriers and oil tankers in southern Ukraine. Most of these ships sustained damage as a result of the incidents.
The DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have been monitoring developments in this “high-risk warlike” area through coordination with licensed manning agencies and ship owners, he said.
Moreover, he assured that the agencies are facilitating medical treatment, psychological support, evacuation, and repatriation arrangements for the injured crew members and for those in need of immediate assistance.
At present, four of the 12 injured seafarers have been repatriated, Cacdac said, while recovery efforts are still underway for the two missing seafarers.
One of the seafarers died either on July 6 or 7, Cacdac said. The DMW, having identified his body, has reached out to the victim's family and is arranging for the repatriation of his remains and assistance for the bereaved family.
A second seafarer was killed on Sunday, July 19. The DMW is still in the process of coordinating with his family, although Cacdac assured they will have spoken to them within the day.
The DMW advised Filipino seafarers to divert voyages through such high-risk areas and informed them of their right to refuse sailing prior to voyage should the vessel’s route or destination be in a high-risk area. If they refuse to sail, Filipino seafarers may reach out to the DMW for repatriation, free of charge, and should not be subject to discrimination for future employment.
As per President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, the agency continues to monitor developments in the area and is considering the adoption of additional protective measures.
