Migrant Workers Secretary hans Leo Cacdac meets the 21 Filipino seafarers rescued from the MV Tutor, a bulk-carrier that was hit by two missles in the Red Sea, after their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday, June 17, 2024. (photo: DMW)

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has committed what it described as whole-of-government assistance for the 21 crew of a bulk carrier who were safely rescued after it was struck by at least two missiles allegedly fired by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

On Monday, June 17, the 21 Filipino seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and were immediately met by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac for the assistance that would be provided to them.

“They will be provided with a whole-of-government assistance based on the directive of the President,” said Cacdac who personally welcomed the 21 Filipino seafarers at the NAIA.

Among the assistance are P150,000 from House Speaker Martin Romualdez; P50,000 from the DMW; P10,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Each of the 21 rescued Filipino seafarers were also given 192 Bahraini dinars (equivalent to P 30,000) before they boarded a plane heading to Manila.

The 21 Filipino seafarers were rescued by combined international forces on Wednesday night, June 14, at the southern portion of Red Sea where the MV Tutor was still adrift after it was hit by two missiles. 

Repatriation of the rescued Filipino seafarers was immediately arranged. 

Search on-going

Cacdac, meanwhile, said that search operation will continue for the lone missing Filipino seafarer who was believed to have been stuck at the engine room when the vessel was hit by missiles on June 12 in the Red Sea.

He said they have already met with the family of the missing Filipino seaman to assure them that the Philippine government will not stop until their kin is located.

Cacdac said coordination is also being made with the agents of the vessel company to ensure that the search operation will continue, along with the necessary assistance.

“I accompanied the family to the agent of the shipping company and we were assured of the third operation to locate the missing Filipino seafarer,” said Cacdac.

MV Tutor, according to Cacdac, remains adrift at the southern portion of the Red Sea.

Review

Before the missile attack on MV Tutor happened on June 12, there was already an existing policy issued by the DMW that assures the right to refuse sailing of Filipino seafarers if they are on board vessels that would pass by the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.

This was done to protect Filipino seafarers amid the series of violent attacks on passing ships which resulted in the declaration of both the southern portion of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as war-like areas.

In an interview over dzBB, Cacdac said the 21 Filipino seafarers said that their consent was asked when they learned that MV Tutor would pass by the Red Sea. The vessel was supposed to head to India.

“We will review the policy. Let’s set how effective the content of the consents that they (ship owners) are asking to determine whether or not we need stringent measures to further protect our seafarers,’ said Cacdac.