DMW still confirming reports of another seized Israeli-linked ship with Filipino crew

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday said it is still confirming reports of another Israeli-linked ship with Filipino crew seized in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

“Sa ngayon, humihingi pa tayo ng official confirmation tungkol sa naganap na ito. Of course, mayroon nang initial reports na pumapasok at sa social media ay meron din,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said in an interview on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

(Currently, we are still asking for official confirmation regarding this incident. Of course, there are initial reports coming in and there are social media posts as well.)

“Kaya, una, inaalam at kinukumpirma pa natin iyong kaganapan na ito (That is why we are still gathering information and confirming this incident),” he added.

The DMW is coordinating with the manning agency to know the complete details of the incident as well as the condition of the Filipino crew, according to Cacdac.

Cacdac refused to divulge the number of Pinoy crew aboard the ship as the department has yet to verify it.

Unidentified armed individuals on Sunday seized chemical tanker Central Park in the Gulf of Aden, according to the vessel's managing company and a US defense official.

Central Park, a small chemical tanker (19,998 metric tons), is managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd, a London-headquartered international ship management company owned by Israel's Ofer family.

Before this, another Israeli-linked cargo ship with 17 Filipino crew was also seized by Yemen's rebel group Houthi in the Red Sea last week.

The Houthi group said that it will target more Israeli vessels in response to Israel's attack and occupation of Gaza. —KG, GMA Integrated News