MANILA, Philippines — All Filipino seafarers onboard the Greek-flagged oil tanker MT Sounion, which was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, are now safe, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
“Our crew members aboard the ship… the oil tanker called MT Sounion, are now safe as we all know. They arrived at a safe port as of midnight (Friday),” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in mixed English and Filipino in a news forum in Quezon City.
Cacdac said they have already communicated with the families of the rescued seamen and assured them of government support.
The official likewise said that the seafarers are now safe following the incident.
“I have already spoken with one of the crew members and checked on them; they said they are doing well at the hotel where they are staying,” he said.
On Thursday, the DMW confirmed that 23 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea had been rescued from a drifting tanker after three missiles launched by Houthi rebels hit the ship on Wednesday.
Cacdac said the crew is currently “going through the necessary protocols, debriefings, and basic medicals.”
He also said that the Filipino mariners will soon be repatriated, assuring them of utmost assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs DFA, particularly for those who may need travel documentation.
The official said that the DMW convened with the International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs (IACGMA) to discuss enhancing measures to safeguard seafarers in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
“So, yesterday we also met with international maritime stakeholders—the IACGMA (International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs), the advisory council on local maritime affairs appointed by our President in 2022. We discussed strengthening the protection of seafarers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” he said.
