2 FILIPINO SEAFARERS KILLED, 12 INJURED IN BLACK SEA DRONE ATTACKS

Two Filipino seafarers have been killed, 12 others injured, and one remains missing following a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels operating in the northern Black Sea, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

Cacdac reported that, as of July 20, a total of nine commercial ships carrying Filipino crew members had been attacked while transiting or docking at ports in southern Ukraine along the northern Black Sea, highlighting the escalating dangers faced by Filipino seafarers in one of the world's most volatile maritime regions.

The DMW said it continues to coordinate with Philippine embassies, shipowners, manning agencies, and the families of the affected seafarers to provide assistance, facilitate medical care for the injured, and determine the whereabouts of the missing crew member. The department has also assured the public that it is closely monitoring developments in the conflict zone.

The Black Sea remains classified as a high-risk, war-like area by both the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) and the DMW due to ongoing hostilities linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Filipino seafarers assigned to vessels operating in the area are entitled to enhanced safety protections and additional compensation under international maritime agreements.

The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks on merchant vessels in conflict zones that have increasingly endangered Filipino seafarers, who make up one of the largest maritime workforces in the world.

The DMW reiterated its appeal for shipowners and manning agencies to strictly observe safety protocols and ensure that Filipino seafarers are fully informed of the risks before accepting assignments in designated high-risk maritime areas.