The Department of Migrant of Workers (DMW) expressed concern on the recent reported attack by Houthi rebels on a Dutch-flagged cargo ship, Minervagracht, after it was reported that a Filipino was among its 19 crew members.
The agency said it is currently coordinating with the ship operator, employer, manning agency, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to verify if a Filipino was among those affected from the incident.
‘Once it is verified, DMW is prepared to give immediate assistance [to the affected Filipino seafarer],’ DMW said in Filipino in a statement issued last Tuesday.
‘We will provide further updates as soon as details are confirmed,’ it added.
It said its package of support for the affected Filipino sailor and his or her family will include medical assistance, repatriation, counselling and psychological support, and legal aid.
According to international news reports, Minervagracht was set on fire after it was attacked with an explosive by Houthi rebels.
The European Union maritime mission Aspides rescued the crew of the Dutch-flagged ship, which supposedly included a Filipino sailor, before they were transported to Djibouti.
DMW has been closely monitoring the status of ships with Filipino crew members, which pass through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks.
Last July, two ships-Magic Seas and Eternity C-with Filipino sailors were attacked by Houthi rebels while sailing in the said dangerous waterways.
The said incidents prompted DMW to impose stricter measures for shipowners and manning agencies, which have ships with Filipino sailors passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
‘In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW continues to strengthen the protection and care for seafarers-especially in high-risk areas such as the Gulf of Aden,’ DMW said.