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Philippines expects Germany to provide utmost protection to Pinoy seafarers

Philippines | National

Philippines expects Germany to provide utmost protection to Pinoy seafarers

By Betheena Unite

The Philippines is expecting that Germany would provide Filipino seafarers the highest protection following the Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden last week.

De Vega.jpg — DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said this on Tuesday, March 12, as President Marcos is currently in Berlin, where the Philippines and Germany are set to sign a maritime agreement.

“Of course, ang expectation natin (our expectation), we’re not going to tell Germany what to do, obviously. We’re not going to tell them to join the coalition or what, but we do expect and they will ensure that for ships bound for Germany, for example, German ports, German-flagged vessels that they will give the highest protection to our seafarers,” De Vega said in a Palace briefing.

On March 6, the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier M/V True Confidence was attacked by Houthi rebels while navigating the sea lanes of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. At least 15 Filipino crew members were on board the vessel.

Two Filipino seafarers were killed from the attack and their remains are yet to be recovered, according to De Vega.

Eleven of the surviving Filipino seafarers, De Vega added, are expected to arrive in Manila on Tuesday night via Hong Kong.

The Philippines and Germany will be signing a joint declaration of intent (JDI) on strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector, facilitating maritime trade, and mobility of Philippine and German-owned vessels.

Related Tags

Germany Department of Foreign Affairs Filipino seafarers Eduardo De Vega

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