(Photo: Department of Migrant Workers)
Six of the 17 rescued crew members of MV Magic Seas, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea, have returned safely to the country on Friday, July 11.
Three seafarers landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR685 around 4:30 a.m. while the other three arrived at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga at 4 p.m. Their identities were withheld by the DMW for security reasons.
They were welcomed by government officials headed by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Francis Ron De Guzman, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent Uy, and representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Among those who arrived were the ship’s chief officer, second officer, third officer, and engineers.
“The ship's chief officer admitted that they are still in shock after their ordeal, but still grateful for the assistance the Marcos administration has provided,” the DMW said in a statement.
The seafarers were given P85,000 each by the DMW through its AKSYON Fund, OWWA through its Emergency Repatriation Fund, and DSWD.
A medical team from the MIAA also subjected them to a health checkup.
De Guzman said the government’s assistance won’t stop there as the seafarers will be provided with other forms of aid to ensure their seamless reintegration into the society after losing their jobs.
MV Magic Seas was attacked by Houthis while it was sailing roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen last July 6. The vessel had 19 crew members, including 17 Filipino seafarers, who were rescued after abandoning the ship as it was taking on water.