Filipino Crew Attacked by Houthi Rebels in Red Sea Return Home Safely

Five Filipino crew members of MV Transworld Navigator, attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, have returned to the Philippines, as reported by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). This group is the first batch of the 27 seafarers who were onboard during the attack in the Gulf of Aden. The DMW confirmed that the returning seafarers received financial and other forms of assistance from the government upon their arrival.

DMW officials, including Chief Hans Leo Cacdac, Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns Jerome Pampolina, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Honey Quin̈o, welcomed the seafarers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Despite one crew member sustaining a minor injury from shattered glass during the attack, Cacdac assured that the other 26 were unharmed.

Following the incident, the Philippine government imposed restrictions on Filipino seafarers from boarding vessels passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Manning agencies were required to provide written guarantees that ships with Filipino crew members would avoid these “war-like zones.” Additionally, detailed itineraries of vessels were mandated to be submitted during crew employment contract processing or before deployment.

Source .