Marcos to DMW: Continue support for families of Pinoys affected by Red Sea attacks

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to provide continuous support to the families of 20 Filipino seafarers affected by the attacks in the Red Sea.

“We are handholding the families as directed by the President,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Cacdac said the DMW has been constantly meeting with the families of the affected seafarers, adding that the mariners are “safe and sound.”

The DMW chief said that the three Filipino crew members of MSC Aries are expected to be home “anytime soon,” while the 17 Filipinos in Galaxy Leader remain in stable condition.  

They are constantly communicating with their loved ones in the Philippines, Cacdac added.

Three Filipino seafarers were on board the container ship MSC Aries when it was seized by Iranian authorities in the Red Sea. 

On the other hand, the vessel Galaxy Leader had 17 Filipino seamen when it was attacked by the Houthi rebels also in the Red Sea. 

The DMW chief also expressed gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for its support in ensuring the safety of the Filipino seafarers as well as its close coordination with Iranian authorities and the local manning agency concerning the three Filipino seafarers of MSC Aries. —VAL, GMA Integrated News