A person walks on the snow-covered Black Sea beach in Odesa on January 23, 2026, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Oleksandr Gimanov, AFP
MANILA (UPDATED) — More than half or 261 out of 400 Filipino seafarers have returned to the Philippines after their ships were attacked in the Black Sea amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Tuesday.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the 400 Filipino seafarers were aboard 27 ships that were attacked.
"Patuloy lang ang ating effort sa pagmamanman ng sitwasyon. Karamihan ay unharmed. Of the 400 seafarers, ay mga 381 naman are unharmed," Cacdac told reporters.
DMW temporarily restricts deployment of Filipino seafarers to Northern Black Sea
He said more Filipino seafarers have signified their intent to be repatriated.
"Meron ding mga nagpahiwating na ayaw nila magpatuloy sa northern Black Sea gawa ng tindi ng sitwasyon," he added.
Cacdac said teams of the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been on standby in Romania and Turkey to provide assistance to seafarers such as repatriation and financial aid.
The DMW chief said they have also given assistance to the families of the affected seafarers such as psychosocial support and education for the children of the fatalities.
Based on the DMW's figures, three have died while 15 Filipino seafarers were hurt due to attacks in the Black Sea.
Two Filipino seafarers killed in Black Sea attack — DMW
Cacdac urged seafarers to go back to the Philippines and called on ship owners to avoid deploying in the Black Sea.
HACKED SYSTEM
Meanwhile, the Palace said the Department of Information and Communications Technology is in coordination with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) after the latter's systems suffered a cyberattack.
"Nais po nilang mapabilis ang pagtugon dahil marami po tayong maaapektuhan na mga seafarers," Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing.
MARINA assured that no seafarer lost a job with the system disruption as alternative measures are in place for the continued deployment of Filipino seafarers.
MARINA guaranteed that it is working 24/7 to restore the system.
Marcos assures legal aid for families of slain seafarers
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