DFA condemns attack on Red Sea vessel with PH seafarers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned early Friday morning the attack on the MV Tutor vessel in the Red Sea.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza said the attack transpired on June 12.

“The Philippine government will take all necessary measures to secure the safety and well-being of the Filipino crew on board and ensure justice,” Daza said.

“We call on all UN member states to protect the human rights of seafarers,” she added.

The DFA has yet to confirm the number of Filipino seafarers on board the vessel.

INQUIRER.net has asked the DFA how many Filipino seafarers were onboard the vessel when the attack, allegedly perpetrated by Houthi rebels, happened, but it has yet to respond as of press time.

Prior to the incident, the Philippine government had already barred Filipino seafarers from boarding vessels passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

According to the Department of Migrant Workers, manning agencies were already required to submit a written guarantee that passenger or cruise vessels with Filipino crew members would not traverse the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which have been designated as “war-like zones.”

Aside from the “affirmation letter,” the DMW also required manning agencies to submit their vessels’ detailed itineraries during the processing of crew employment contracts or before deployment.