All 14 Filipino crew members of the Somalian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Afadja have safely returned to the Philippines following a coordinated repatriation effort led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The remaining nine seafarers arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday, joining the first five who returned on June 22.
The crew received financial assistance, temporary accommodation, transportation, medical support, and psychosocial counseling upon arrival.
The DMW said the repatriation was made possible through the assistance of Philippine diplomatic offices in Türkiye and Lebanon, which also provided emergency aid and airfare.
The seafarers had been stranded aboard the vessel without electricity, potable water, or adequate food after it was declared unfit to sail due to engine failure.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 7, 2026
