The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday announced the return of nine Filipino seafarers that were aboard the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Rostrum Optima.
In a statement on Saturday, the DMW said the Filipinos arrived at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) through Turkish Airlines Flight TK084, which came from Istanbul, Turkey.
The M/V Rostrum Optima was hit by a drone strike while at the Port of Taman in Russia. Upon reaching Istanbul, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac met the Filipino crew members, to check on their condition.
DMW OIC-Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns Augusto San Diego III, along with representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Medical Team, welcomed the returning seafarers.
All of the returning seafarers received airport and financial assistance from the DMW’s Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (Aksyon) Fund under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) program, along with welfare assistance from OWWA, with the MIAA Medical Team conducting initial health checks on them.
“Your safe return is a blessing from the Lord… Let us continue to pray for our seafarers who risk their lives in the line of duty. Let us pray that the conflicts affecting the safe and peaceful passage of vessels carrying Filipino seafarers will soon come to an end,” San Diego told the seafarers.
