The owner of the MV Tutor has committed to continue the search for the lone Filipino seafarer who is still missing after the vessel was hit by two missiles allegedly fired by Houthi rebels on June 12 in the southern part of the Red Sea.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the commitment was relayed to the Philippine Embassy in Athens under Ambassador Giovanni Palec after meeting the shipping principal of MV Tutor.
Based on the agreement, the search operations for the missing seafarer shall be undertaken as soon as the ship is taken to a safe port.
In an interview over dzBB, Cacdac said that MV Tutor is still adrift at the southern part of the Red Sea after being hit by two missiles.
On the night of January 14, combined international forces conducted an operation on MV Tutor which resulted in the rescue of the 21 of the 22 Filipino seafarers on board.
They were immediately taken to the safer ports and on June 17, they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Authorities suspected that the missing Filipino seafarer was trapped inside the engine room of the vessel.
Cacdac said they understand why a search operation is not yet conducted due to threats posed by the current location of the Mv Tutor.
But he said he already met with the family of the missing Filipino seafarer and assured them that the Philippine government will not stop until their kin is found.
“We remain hopeful and are in touch with the family of the (missing) seafarer,” said Cacdac.