2 injured Filipino seafarers returning to PH on Thursday–DMW

DMW OIC Hans Leo Cacdac at the press briefing held in the Department of Migrant Workers main office providing updates on affected nationals and OFWs caught in the middle of the Israel-Gaza conflict plus latest efforts from the national government. Cacdac said the department is bracing for repatriation and are (in the process of) helping to prepare flights for OFWs. LYN RILLON/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER new zealand

DMW OIC Hans Leo Cacdac  LYN RILLON/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The two injured Filipino seafarers from the missile-attacked bulk carrier, True Confidence, will return to the Philippines on Thursday (March 14), according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge (OIC) Hans Cacdac.

“Two injured [Filipino] seafarers on True Confidence will arrive home via air ambulance on March 14th,” Cacdac posted on X (formerly Twitter).

READ: 11 Filipino survivors of Houthi attack on ship back in PH 

“Whole-of-government team as directed by the President will once again be ready to receive and provide full assistance and support,” he added.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Cacdac told reporters that the two were still being treated at a hospital in Djibouti City. He, however, did not reveal the extent of their injuries.

A total of 13 Filipinos survived the missile attack while plying the Red Sea. Eleven of them have already arrived home on Tuesday afternoon.

READ: 2 Filipino sailors killed in Houthi missile attack 

The seafarers have received financial assistance worth P50,000 from the DMW, P50,000 from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

This is on top of the assistance that they have received from their Liberian-registered shipping company, True Confidence Shipping, DMW said.

The attack on True Confidence, which was attributed to Houthi militia, killed three crewmen including two Filipinos.

Retrieving their remains, however, remains to be a challenge as security threats are still present in the area, according to Cacdac.

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