Over 24 Filipino Seafarers On Russian Vessels Face Risk Amid Ongoing Russia-Ukraine War

More than 24 Filipino seafarers currently assigned to Russian vessels may be exposed to danger due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to Senator Erwin Tulfo.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said he is scheduled to meet officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) this week to determine what measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the affected seafarers.

The senator said he intends to seek clarification on the specific actions being implemented by both agencies to safeguard the Filipino crew members stationed aboard Russian ships.

He also emphasised the need to verify whether the seafarers were hired directly by foreign principals or deployed through licensed manning agencies in the Philippines.

Tulfo stated that if the seafarers were deployed through local manning agencies, those companies would bear responsibility for their welfare should any untoward incident occur.

However, if they were direct hires, he said authorities should appeal for them to return home immediately, citing the risks posed by the ongoing hostilities.

Information about the number of Filipino seafarers on Russian vessels was relayed to Tulfo by Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Fediv during a courtesy call last week.

During the same meeting, Tulfo also raised the case of Raymon Santos Gumangan, a Filipino currently held as a prisoner of war in Ukraine after being captured by Ukrainian forces while serving under Russian forces.

According to his family, Gumangan had travelled abroad after securing employment as a logistics truck driver through an online job platform.

Tulfo requested that the Ukrainian ambassador facilitate communication between Gumangan and his family in the Philippines. Ambassador Fediv committed to assisting in enabling such contact.

The Ukrainian envoy assured the senator that Gumangan is being treated properly in accordance with the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war.

References: gmanetwork, philstar

Source: Maritime Shipping News