All 14 Filipino crew members of the Somali-flagged cargo vessel M/V Afadja have safely returned to the Philippines after being abandoned in Türkiye, the Department of Migrant Workers said.
The last batch of nine seafarers arrived Saturday evening aboard Turkish Airlines Flight TK 084 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, completing the repatriation of the entire crew. The first batch of five returned on June 22.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration welcomed the returning seafarers and provided airport assistance, financial aid, temporary hotel accommodation and transportation.
The crew members will also undergo psychosocial counseling at a Department of Health-accredited hospital and receive legal assistance from the DMW as they pursue claims for unpaid wages and other employment benefits.
The DMW said the successful repatriation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and the Migrant Workers Office in Lebanon, which also provided airfare and emergency financial assistance.
