DFA: Stranded Seafarers in China to Arrive Tomorrow

PASAY CITY 28 September 2020 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola confirms that the 16 stranded Filipino seafarers and three land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from China are scheduled to arrive in Manila tomorrow around 1:00 a.m. on board a chartered flight by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Eleven of the 16 seafarers are from Ocean Star 86, who have been stranded in Dongshan since March 2020. They will be joined by five seafarers on board M/V Maria P., who have been stranded in Ningde since July 2020.

Both are Chinese fishing vessels which were affected by China's "no disembarkation" policy as precautionary measure due to the pandemic and the unavailability of commercial flights.

"The repatriation of the Filipino seafarers is a product of the Philippine Government's determination to bring home any distressed Filipino abroad whether on land or at sea. Rest assured that the DFA remains committed to protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of our OFWs," Undersecretary Arriola added.

The DFA, through the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, China, has been monitoring the condition of the seafarers since they were stranded. The Consulate has been providing them welfare assistance and ensured that their salaries and other entitlements are provided for by their employer. END