Ten Filipino seafarers who declined to board the M/V Dema M due to security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz have safely returned to the Philippines. They arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on September 4, 2026, where they were greeted by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Venecio V. Legaspi, alongside representatives from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Upon their return, the agencies provided repatriation assistance and additional support for the seafarers. Legaspi emphasized the DMW’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, livelihoods, and benefits of Filipino seafarers, particularly against agencies that do not uphold their entitlements. He reassured the seafarers of the DMW’s support for their decision to refuse deployment.
This repatriation aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive under the UPLIFT initiative, which affirms the rights of overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers, to decline assignments through high-risk routes. The DMW highlighted that this measure is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino migrant workers and their families.
