Pinoy seafarers stranded in India return home

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen of the 21 Filipino seafarers stranded in India since June arrived in Manila on Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced yesterday.

Philippine Ambassador to India Ma. Teresita Daza informed the DFA that the six remaining seamen will also be repatriated as soon as their exit clearances are issued. 

The 21 Filipino crew members of MV Evangelia M, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, were stranded in Kakinada Port after they were abandoned by their employer.

The Philippine embassy in New Delhi and the Philippine consulate general in Chennai worked closely with Indian port authorities and the Admiral Shipping Agency, the local agent in India, for the repatriation of the Filipinos.

The DFA coordinated with local manning agency Evic Human Resource Management Inc. for the payment of the salaries and the provision of legal assistance to the seafarers.