14 seafarers from Black Sea ship attack arrive in Manila

The Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said 14 Filipino seafarers — part of the crew of the marine vessel KMAX RULER that was struck by a Russian missile in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Pivdennyi last month — arrived past midnight on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

DMW senior officials Assistant Secretaries Levinson Alcantara and Jerome Pampolina welcomed 14 seafarers.

Arnel Lopez, the ship captain who was near the Ukrainian pilot killed in the missile attack, said he witnessed how the pilot died when the missile hit their ship.

"We were sticking to the port. The pilot was assisting me. Then something suddenly exploded. He died when he was hit," Lopez said.

Second Officer Jovanny Perez made an appeal to the government to help them as they are still under contract.

"We are asking for a little help because many of us are still under contract. And to the Filipino seafarers who are about to enter, if possible, avoid traveling to this war zone area," Perez said.

DMW said the manning agency shouldered the costs of the seafarers' return to the country as well as the transit costs and accommodations on their way home to their respective provinces.

Twenty-five Filipino seafarers were part of the crew of the KMAX RULER when the missile attack occurred. Among them were three Filipinos who sustained injuries but are now in recovery. Over the past weekend, all three injured seafarers have return to their home country and been reunited with their families.

All crew members received initial medical checks and psychosocial assessments, with an initial P10,000 financial aid from OWWA. The manning and shipping agencies are set to provide further insurance and additional benefits to support the affected seafarers.