MANILA, Philippines — Eight Filipino seafarers detained in Malaysia for alleged immigration violations have been released, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced.

In a report to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Labor Attaché Jocelyn Ortega of the Migrant Workers’ Office (MWO) in Malaysia confirmed that the seafarers were freed following a welfare visit and the decision of the Prosecutor’s Office in Johor.

The Filipinos were crew members of vessel MT Krishna 1, which was apprehended on April 11 along with 12 Indian nationals for reportedly entering the Southern Malay Peninsula without valid passports and documents. They were held at the Kota Tinggi Police District Headquarters in Johor.

Secretary Cacdac highlighted the Marcos administration’s commitment to protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially during critical times. He also thanked Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Maria Angela Ponce for their support, which he said helped facilitate the swift intervention of DMW, MWO, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the DMW, the MWO-OWWA team provided legal and welfare assistance to the seafarers during their detention and is now arranging for their repatriation to the Philippines.

The DMW said it has also coordinated with the seafarers’ Licensed Manning Agency (LMA), which assured continued salary and benefit payments for the crew and their families. The department likewise reached out to the seafarers’ families and promised further support through the AKSYON Fund.

“We are always reminded by the President to ensure the welfare and well-being of our OFWs, especially in times of their utmost need,” Cacdac said.