3 Ilonggo seafarers who survived drone attack in Black Sea return home
By Tara Yap
THREE Ilonggo seafarers caught in an attack in the Black Sea are back home in Iloilo. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
ILOILO CITY – Three Ilonggo seafarers who survived the July 18 drone attack on their cargo vessel in the Black Sea during the Russia-Ukraine war arrived home on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The seafarers from Miag-ao and Dingle as well as Iloilo City were fetched at the Iloilo Airport by Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Iloilo and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-6.
PESO-Iloilo head Cynthia Dario accompanied them to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol where they were welcomed by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias.
The three seamen sought repatriation after their shipping company ordered them to proceed to Turkey to deliver remaining cargo following the attack.
They were among the seafarers who did not want to risk their lives again and just wanted to go home.
Their families sought the assistance of PESO-Iloilo, which coordinated with OWWA-Region 6 and their shipping agency in Manila.
The Iloilo provincial government will provide psychosocial intervention and financial assistance.