The Filipino seamen onboard the Greek-owned 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).
“Iyong ating mga tripulante sa barko … oil tanker na ang tawag ay MT Sounion ay ligtas na as we all know. Sila ay nakarating na sa safe port mula pa noong hatinggabi (Friday midnight) kahapon,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Cacdac said they have already communicated with the families of the rescued seamen and assured them of government support.
“Masaya sila, nagpapasalamat sila sa pamahalaan, kay Pangulong (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) at sa tulong na naibigay ‘no, at ibibigay pa sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na dalawampu’t tatlong tripulante,” Cacdac said.
“And, nakipag-usap na rin ako sa isa sa mga tripulante at kinumusta ko sila, maayos naman daw sila doon sa hotel kung nasaan man sila,” he added.
Cacdac also said the crew is “going through the necessary protocols, debriefings, and basic medicals.”
Cacdac added 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.
Cacdac said the DMW convened with the International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs (IACGMA) to deliberate on enhancing measures to safeguard seafarers in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
“So, iyon po ang… so far—kahapon nakipagpulong din tayo sa mga international maritime stakeholders – iyong IACGMA (International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs), iyong advisory council on local maritime affairs na itinalaga ng Pangulo natin … noong 2022, nagpulong din kami at pinag-usapan namin ang pagpapaigting ng proteksiyon ng seafarers diyan sa Red Sea at Gulf of Aden,” he said. PND
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