In the latest President Duterte’s Address to the Nation on Monday, Sept. 14, the President said he received reports that there were Filipino seafarers who have been onboard international ships for two or three years who could not come home due to COVID-19.
The Chief Executive said: “Karamihan nito mga naiwan sa barko. They were not allowed to dock to their destination.”
“Now, I would like to direct the Foreign Affairs department at commercial attache natin and even the police and military guys who are assigned in different embassies, kindly check and do a validation report kung meron bang mga Pilipino seafarers na-stranded in your area of responsibility.”
The President said: “Mga Pilipinong stranded on different ships, nasa dagat, hindi iyung mga nasa port. They are not allowed to dock; hindi sila makababa. Itinaboy sila and they are floating.”
He called on government officials based to do whatever they can to help the stranded Filipino seafarers.
“Nakakaawa (sila). A human being should never, never be (treated as) a commodity that is left to rot,” the President added.
