DFA exec: 116 Pinoys still in Ukraine, 200 seafarers stranded at sea By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday that 116 land-based Filipinos are still in Ukraine, and around 200 Pinoy seafarers are stranded in the Black Sea amid Russia's ongoing invasion. In a radio interview, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said 27 Filipinos, including 21 seafarers, had moved to Moldova and have already crossed to Bucharest in Romania for a flight to the Philippines. Also, 15 Filipinos are in Hungary, nine in Austria, and four in Romania. “So, 116 pa yung nasa loob ng Ukraine (116 are still in Ukraine),” she said. According to Arriola, 19 Filipinos have been repatriated to the Philippines. Some Filipinos with Ukrainian spouses stayed in the country despite the conflict, she added. Citing information from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Arriola said around 200 Filipino seafarers are stranded in the Black Sea and nearby ports. “Ang estimate nila mas maraming seafarers around 200. Kasi yun naman, hindi naman sila nasa crossfire. Medyo stranded talaga sila sa Black Sea sa Odessa, sa iba’t ibang lugar,” she said. (Their estimate is there are more seafarers who are stranded around 200. But they are not in the crossfire. They are really stranded in the Black Sea in Odessa, and other areas) Arriola said ships are being cautious about sailing because two cargo ships were already hit by explosions. She encouraged Filipinos in Ukraine to return to the Philippines to be safe from the war between Ukraine and Russia. The DFA official also pointed out that Filipinos from Ukraine might have less opportunity for work when they move to other countries as there is an influx of refugees in Europe now. On Wednesday, the Philippines appealed for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine under Russia's invasion, and called on the parties involved to forge a peace accord. —LBG, GMA News

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