DMW verifying Pinoy seafarers missing, hurt in Yemen ship attack

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday said it is still confirming the reported missing and injured Filipino seafarers in the recent ship attack off Yemen.

According to a Reuters report, the Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C had 22 crew members on board, comprising 21 Filipinos and one Russian.

The report also noted that two crew members were missing while another two were injured.

The ship was attacked with sea drones and skiffs 50 nautical miles southwest of the port of Hodeidah on Monday.

In a press briefing, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac noted that the agency is in close coordination with the manning agency of the Filipino seafarers.

“The shipowner is having difficulty communicating with them,” Cacdac said.

He added that DMW is reaching out to the families of the Filipino seafarers and working with international organizations such as the International Transport Workers' Federation and the Seafarers International Union.

17 Pinoy seafarers safe

Meanwhile, DMW reported that 17 Filipino seafarers were safe after escaping the Liberian-flagged vessel they were boarding, which was under attack by alleged Houthi rebels on Saturday.

In a statement on Tuesday, DMW said MV Magic Seas was attacked by men with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades while it was sailing roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah.

“The ship's security team, composed of four armed personnel, was able to repel the attack by returning fire. This led to the escape of the ship's crew, who were later rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism,” the statement read.

The Filipino seafarers, along with two other crew members, were accounted for and safely accommodated at a hotel in Djibouti in East Africa.

"The Department remains in close coordination with relevant government agencies and with the LMA (licensed manning agency) to facilitate the safe and swift repatriation of the affected Filipino seafarers," Cacdac said.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr) informed of any significant developments as they arise," he added.

Cacdac also assured that immediate assistance will be provided to the Filipino seafarers and their families.

Safety first

Cacdac also urged ship owners to prioritize the safety of seafarers.

“Please divert your voyages. It is not enough that you’re taking the necessary precautions. The best way to spare our seafarers is to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

He warned ship owners and manning agencies may face sanctions for failing to report the passage schedule of ships and Filipinos on board in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The DMW has directed the LMAs to submit the names of principals and ship owners who have diverted their vessels to safer routes to sbhighrisk@dmw.gov.

Filipino seafarers in need of assistance may contact the DMW hotline at 1348.

JP Soriano reported on "24 Oras" that the Philippine government is studying if Filipino seafarers will be prohibited from joining a crew sailing in the Red Sea.

"This last attack on the Eternity Sea looks intense. There are drones. There are rocket grenade launchers involved. So, we have intensified attacks and so we will get the necessary signal from the security political side here in government, which is essentially DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and DND (Department of National Defense)," Cacdac said.

For now, MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C will be prohibited from boarding Filipino seafarers.

The manning agency of MV Eternity C has assured it will help the 21 Filipino seafarers while awaiting the full report. — BAP, GMA Integrated News