5 Pinoy crewmen return after Houthi attack

Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Five of the 27 Filipino crew of MV Transworld Navigator, which was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, arrived in the country on Sunday afternoon, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

“This is the first batch of the 27 Filipino seafarers who were onboard the vessel that was attacked by the Houthi rebels last weekend as they passed through the Gulf of Aden,” the DMW said.

The agency also said the five seafarers received financial and other assistance from the national government.

READ: All 27 Filipino crew of MV Transworld Navigator unharmed, says DMW

Migrant chief Hans Leo Cacdac, Jerome Pampolina, assistant secretary for sea-based overseas Filipino worker concerns, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Honey Quin̈o welcomed the seafarers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

According to reports, one of the 27 Filipino crew sustained a minor injury due to shattered glass in the vessel. Before the incident, the Philippine government had barred Filipino seafarers from boarding vessels passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Cacdac said the DMW required manning agencies to submit an “affirmation letter” or written guarantee that cruise vessels with Filipino crew members would not traverse the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. —Faith Argosino