RED SEA TARGET An aerial view of the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze following a Houthi missile attack in the Red Sea on March 6, 2024. The commercial vessel had 15 Filipinos among its crewmen. (File photo from REUTERS)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said no Filipino seafarers were injured or killed in recent multiple missile attacks against ships in the Red Sea.
According to DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac, a total of six ships have been attacked by missiles and drones sailing the Red Sea since April 24.
“Of the six ships, three have no Filipino crew, which means the other three have a Filipino crew,” said during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
READ: Missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels damages ship in Red Sea
One of the ships, MSE Darwin, had 18 Filipino crew members on board during a missile attack on April 25.
Cacdac said the crew were all safe after the missiles missed the vessel.
On April 29, all three Filipino crew members of MSE Orion were also declared safe by the DMW, after the ship suffered minor damage from a drone attack in the Indian Ocean.
READ: Two remaining Filipino crewmen of MV True Confidence now back in PH
Another ship, bulk carrier Cyclades, also sustained minor damage in a separate missile strike on April 29, with all 21 Filipino crew members are unharmed.
Cacdac then reiterated the DMW’s call for ships to avoid passing through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
“If it cannot be helped, please honor the seafarers’ right to refuse sailing,” said Cacdac.
He added that, so far, 25 Filipino seafarers have already refused to sail.
READ: PH prohibits Filipino seafarers on Red Sea, Gulf of Aden routes
Houthi rebels in Yemen have recently launched attacks against commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea.
The MV Galaxy Leadership, carrying 17 Filipino seafarers, was seized in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels in November 2023. The boat has been in the rebels’ custody since then.
In a separate instance, MV True Confidence, with 13 Filipinos on board was hit by a Houthi missile in the Red Sea, killing two Filipinos and one Vietnamese crew.