Senate eyes policy review on Filipino seafarers’ deployment to high-risk areas

Senator Raffy Tulfo said Thursday that he will propose a hearing, in aid of legislation, to review and outline new policies and regulations on the deployment of Filipino seafarers to high-risk waters.

Tulfo, chairman of the Senate committee on migrant workers, said this following reports that nine Filipino sailors are currently being held by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“Kabilang sa mga tatalakayin ay kung dapat na bang magkaroon ng mandatory security assessment sa mga mapanganib na ruta, at kung kinakailangan nang magpatupad ng total deployment ban sa mga lugar na may mataas na banta sa buhay at kaligtasan ng ating mga seafarers,” the senator said in a statement. 

(Among the things that will be discussed is if there’s a need to have a mandatory security assessment on dangerous routes, and if it is necessary to implement a total deployment ban in areas with a high threat to the lives and safety of our seafarers.) 

The Iran-backed Houthis earlier released footage of crew members who were missing after attacks on the cargo ships Eternity C and Magic Seas, claiming in an accompanying statement to have "rescued" the mariners.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega had confirmed that the Houthis were holding nine Filipino seafarers.

According to Tulfo, he has asked Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac to ensure the Filipino seafarers’ safety and their swift return to their families.

“Isang malaking bagay ang makumpirma nating buhay pa ang ating mga kababayang tripulante. Kaya’t agad kong iminungkahi kay Sec. Cacdac na gawin ng DMW at mga kaukulang ahensya ang lahat ng kinakailangang hakbang upang matiyak ang kanilang kaligtasan at mapalaya sila sa lalong madaling panahon,” the senator said.

(It’s good to know that the Filipino crew members are still alive. I immediately suggested to Sec. Cacdac that the DMW and relevant agencies take all the necessary steps to ensure their safety and release as soon as possible.) 

In 2024, the DMW issued guidelines for licensed manning agencies to observe should Filipino seafarers be assigned on ships that would ply high-risk and conflict areas.

The guidelines were released “in the paramount interest of the continued safety and well-being of all Filipino seafarers on-board ships and in light of the increasing incidence of piracy, hijacking, and/or armed violence against ships passing through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and surrounding areas/waters.” — RF, GMA Integrated News