10 Pinoy seafarers safely back in PH after ship attack in Gulf of Aden

Ten Filipino seafarers who were among the crew of a cargo vessel recently attacked in the Gulf of Aden arrived safely in the country on Saturday night, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Sunday.

The seafarers were met by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and other officials when they landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, the department said.

The Netherlands-flagged cargo vessel MV Minervagracht was at sea when it came under attack 120 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's port city of Aden on Sept. 29.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said according to military authorities, the vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile and reportedly caught fire, Reuters reported.

Rescuers were able to rescue the ship's 19 crew who are Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan, according to another report of Reuters.

The DMW thereafter said the 12 Filipino crew were safe, although two of them were injured.

The Filipino seafarers' trip back home to the country was made possible through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs), and the licensed manning agency and its local agent in Istanbul, the DMW said.

“Lubos naming ipinatutupad ang utos ng Pangulo. Tutulungan namin kayo sa inyong ganap na panunumbalik, sa paghahanap muli ng trabaho, pagkakaroon ng kabuhayan, at pagsasanay,” Cacdac told the 10 Pinoy seafarers. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said seafarers in difficult situations need assistance.

(We will follow the order of the President. We will help you recover, find work, have livelihood and training.)

“Pero ang mahalaga ay makasama muna ninyo ang inyong pamilya,” he added.

(But what is important first is you will reunite with your family again.)

Cacdac said the seafarers will be given the assistance they need.

“Sisiguruhin namin ang maayos na delivery ng inyong mga benepisyo at karapatan. Bukod dito, nag-aalok din ang pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng DMW ng mga serbisyong pangkalusugan, kabilang ang physical at mental health support at psychosocial counseling, upang madagdagan ang tulong na ibinibigay ng inyong licensed manning agency,” Cacdac said.

(We will make sure that you will avail of your benefits and rights. Aside from this, the government through the DMW will also offer health services, including physical and mental health support and psychological counseling, on top of what your licensed manning agency will give you.)

The seafarers were also given financial assistance by the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

They also received training vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The seafarers were also provided accommodation by their licensed manning agency.

Among those who welcomed the seafarers were OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Ezzedin Tago, DMW Assistant Secretaries Jerome Pampolina and Venecio Legazpi, DMW Deputy Administrator Jasmin Gapatan, and other officials and personnel of the DMW, OWWA, DFA, Manila International Airport Authority Medical Team, DSWD, and the licensed manning agency. —KG, GMA Integrated News