MANILA, Philippines — A total of 16 out of the 23 Filipino seafarers have arrived in the Philippines, the Departmentof Migrant Workers said.
In a report, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that the 16 seafarers of MT Sounion have arrived on August 31 while the other seven are also set for repatriation in coordination with their manning agencies.
“Each of them received immediate financial assistance worth P75,000 from the DMW AKSYON Fund and additional cash aid from the DSWD and OWWA. They will also receive necessary medical assessment and psycho-social counseling,” the DMW official said.
The MT Sounion was attacked by Houthi rebels last month.
Cacdac said that 23 of the 25 crew members of the MT Sounion are Filipinos, while the other two, including the captain, are Russians.
The ship was hit by three missile attacks that damaged the engine and caused it to take on some water. Although it’s not in danger of sinking, the ship is now adrift, he said.
According to the official, the vessel is drifting west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
