Statement: On Assistance to 21 Filipino Seafarers Stranded in India

05 October 2018 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has directed the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi to assist 21 Filipino seafarers stranded at a port in southeastern India after they were abandoned by their employer more than three months ago.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano instructed the Embassy to immediately send Consular officers to Kakinada Port, located more than 1,800 kilometers from New Delhi, on Friday after he was informed of the situation of the stranded seafarers on board the MV Evangelia M, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier.

The crew has been stuck on board the vessel since it was abandoned by its Greek owners in June. The seafarers requested the assistance of the DFA in facilitating their immediate repatriation and in collecting their salaries.

Secretary Cayetano also directed the DFA Office of Migrant Workers Affairs to request the assistance of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in ensuring that the manning company in Manila facilitated the immediate repatriation and the payment of the salaries of the stranded seafarers. END