ILOILO City – Three Ilonggo seafarers who survived a Russian drone attack on their cargo vessel in the Black Sea are urgently seeking government intervention to bring them home, saying they remain stranded in Constanța, Romania, more than a week after the incident despite suffering trauma and injuries.
The seafarers — two from Iloilo province and one from Iloilo City — were among the 22 Filipino crew members aboard MV Inase, which was struck by a missile or drone attack while transiting the Black Sea near Odesa, Ukraine, on July 18.
One of them, Second Officer Ram Cerbo of Barangay Mat-y, Miag-ao, Iloilo, sustained injuries to his hand and face after being hit by flying debris and suffering burns during the explosion.
In a Facebook post on July 26, Cerbo appealed for immediate assistance, saying they wanted to disembark in Romania but their principal had refused their request: “Pakitulong po kami na makababa na dito sa Constanta, Romania. Hanggang ngayon ayaw pa din kami pababain ng principal namin na Evalend Shipping Co. No action from the office. At gusto pa nila kami sumama ng Turkey para bumaba pero tatawid pa din ng Black Sea which is hindi namin alam ang assurance ng safety namin.”
The drone attack was part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, large-scale interstate conflict that began in February 2014 when Russia covertly invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. The war escalated dramatically on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War 2.
Cerbo stated: “Kaya nagpumilit talaga kami sa opisina, and we have the right to disembarked due to severe trauma with the drone attack incident during transit in Odessa, Ukraine last July 18, 2026. One week na hindi pa rin kami napapauwi. Nananawagan po kami sa lahat ng pwedeng tumulong.”
Cerbo’s wife, Nepthalie, said her husband was on the bridge when he spotted the incoming drone moments before the explosion.
“Ara gid sia sa bridge. Sia gid actually ang nakakita sang drone nagapakadto sa ila. Baskug impact. Ang igu sang drone ara sa cabin. Ang bridge ara sa babaw, pag-impact nagkalayo, naabtan ang iya kamot kag ang crystal nga nagkalabuka nag-igu sa iya nga talinga, face kag lapit sa mata ‘ya,” said Nepthalie.
Cerbo’s physical injuries have gradually healed, added Nepthalie, but the emotional trauma remains severe, especially whenever he hears loud noises.
According to Nepthalie, Cerbo’s agency has yet to process the documents needed for his disembarkation despite the crew’s request.
Also seeking help was alias “Neb” of Iloilo province whose brother, a chief mate, was also aboard MV Inase during the Black Sea attack.
“Mabuligan kontani ang akon tuod nga mapauli na kay samtang nagadugay didto naga-ano na ang trauma nila. Ti, kon magsakay pa sia, delikado man. Sa Black Sea man gihapon sila ma-agi,” he said.
The Black Sea is a crucial corridor for the transport of world oil, gas, food, and telecommunications. Many international ships – several manned by Filipino seafarers – pass through it.
The Black Sea is also a vital economic and strategic battleground in the Russia-Ukraine war, serving as the primary gateway for Ukraine’s agricultural exports and providing Russia with its key warm-water ports and military power projection into the Mediterranean.
Neb said his brother narrowly escaped injury after the missile exploded before he could reach his cabin.
Another family from Iloilo City also sought assistance from the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for the repatriation of their relative. Their request has since been referred to the Iloilo City PESO.
As of Monday, the three Ilonggo seafarers remained stranded aboard MV Inase in Constanța.
Provincial PESO Manager Dr. Cynthia P. Dario said Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, on behalf of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., has committed to extending all possible assistance to bring the seafarers home.
Dario said the provincial government is already coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to expedite the repatriation process.
She added that once the seafarers return to Iloilo, the provincial government is prepared to provide financial aid, medical assistance, and psychosocial intervention to help them recover from the ordeal.
“Kag kon kinahanglan nila psycho-social support, medical intervention then ang Iloilo provincial government magahatag man sang assistance sa ila,” said Dario.
Recently, a seafarer from Valderrama, Antique was among the two Filipino crew members killed after a Russian missile struck a commercial vessel off southern Ukraine, with Philippine authorities warning of worsening security conditions in the Black Sea amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The fatality was identified as Jude Prado Pagunsan, a resident of Sitio Wayang, Barangay Ubos, Valderrama, Antique, who was serving aboard the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Supramax bulk carrier Venturo when it was hit by missiles while docked at the Port of Pivdennyi on July 18./PN
