The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is now looking at the possible liability of the manning agency and foreign principal of the Filipino crew member of the MV Minervagracht after it was attacked by Houthi rebels last month.
Last Sunday, the remains of the said OFW was finally repatriated and was received by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the concerned licensed manning agency.
‘The DMW is currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether the manning agency and the foreign principal are responsible so that appropriate sanctions can be imposed if proven to have violated its existing policies,’ DMW said in a statement.
The remains was initially brought to the OFW’s wife in Iligan and then to his parents and other relatives in Zamboanga del Sur.
‘The Department of Migrant Workers extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Filipino seafarer, and assured continued assistance and support in accordance with the instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,’ DMW said.
The agency called on the public to pray for the deceased crew member.
MV Minervagracht was damaged by an explosive device on 29 September 2025. The incident resulted in the evacuation of the cargo ship including a Russian, a Ukrainian, Sri Lankans, and 12 Filipinos.
One of the said Filipino crew members of MV Minervagracht died after being injured from the incident.
The 10 other Filipino crew members of the cargo ship returned home safely on October 4, while the other seriously injured crew member was repatriated on October 10.
In a related development, OWWA also reported the arrival of the 19 OFWs from Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via Saudia Flight SV870 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 on 19 October 2025.
The said OFWs sought repatriation due to labor-related cases, welfare issues, and humanitarian concerns.
Upon their arrival, they were given immigration assistance, food packs, financial assistance, transport support, and temporary accommodations. Since January, almost 400 OFWs were successfully repatriated by OWWA and DMW from Jeddah.