The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is consulting with security experts to assess the severity of the recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and identify measures to protect Filipino seafarers better, an official said Thursday.
In a Palace briefing, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) to explore possible steps to ensure the safety of Filipino crew members, following this week’s back-to-back attacks on two bulk carriers manned by dozens of Filipinos.
“We are at least seeking the help of political and security experts, DFA and the DND, to analyze or tell us kung gaano kaiba o kalubha itong bagong method ng pag-atake,” Cacdac said in a Palace press briefing.
“Of course, we know na may mga skiffs, may mga RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), may ballistic missiles, but we want to know the intensity and the tenor of the Houthi side with respect to these particular attacks,” Cacdac said.
“The reason why I’m bringing this out is because magiging related iyan sa pagpataw natin nang mas mahigpit pang measures. So we will have to discuss this over with the DFA and DND,” Cacdac said.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched attacks on the Greek-owned bulk carrier MV Magic Seas and the Liberia-flagged MV Eternity C in the Red Sea on July 6 and 8, respectively.
The 17 Filipino seafarers who were on board MV Magic Seas were rescued and are expected to arrive in the country tomorrow, July 11.
MV Eternity C, which carried 21 Filipinos and one Russian, sank after reportedly being struck by drones and RPGs. The DFA confirmed at least two deaths on the ship. Five Filipinos have been rescued, while the others remain unaccounted for.
Cacdac said the license of MV Eternity C’s manning agency has been suspended as an initial regulatory measure.
The DMW secretary said initial investigation also revealed that MV Eternity C failed to submit the required risk assessment, employ an armed guard and maritime security escort, and even sailed the Red Sea twice.
Cacdac said ships should report first if they plan to pass through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, and inform their crew members.
Filipino seafarers have the right to refuse to take part in those voyages and are entitled to two months’ compensation, free repatriation, and should not be blacklisted if they do so, Cacdac said. | PND
