21 Pinoy seafarers safely brought to Moldova from Ukraine —DFA

Twenty-one Filipino seafarers safely arrived in the Republic of Moldova from Ukraine, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Wednesday. The DFA said the all-Filipino crew of MV S-Breeze, from Chornomosk, Ukraine were transported with the assistance of Philippine Honorary Consul in Moldova Victor Gaina and in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Budapest. The Filipino seafarers arrived in Moldova in two batches: on February 27 and on March 1. The seafarers of bulk carrier MV S-Breeze were in drydock for repairs at the Ilyichevsk Ship Yard in the Port of Odessa, Ukraine since January 27. The crew had been staying in the vessel’s accommodations with enough provisions but requested repatriation due to the worsening conflict, according to the DFA. The department said at least 27 Filipinos have been evacuated from Ukraine to Moldova. “Both the Philippine Embassy in Budapest and the PH Consulate in Chisinau assured that they will arrange the repatriation of the seafarers to Manila at the soonest possible time,” the DFA said. The DFA advised those who need repatriation near the Moldova and Romania borders to contact the Philippine Embassy in Budapest through the following: Hungary Budapest PE emergency hotline: +36 30 202 1760 ATN Officer Claro Cabuniag: +36 30 074 5656 (mobile) and +63 966 340 4725 (viber) Moldova Honorary Consul Victor Gaina: Mobile number (also WhatsApp no.(sad) +37369870870 or email addresses: victor.gaina@phconsulate.md or consul@phconsulate.md At least 13 Filipinos from Ukraine arrived in the country on Tuesday night. They are part of the 40 evacuees who left Kyiv for Lviv and were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. at the Poland border. Meanwhile, a total of 181 Filipinos have been accounted for in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia last week. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News

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