By Junex Doronio
MANILA — “Some guys have all the luck,” so goes the song of rock star Rod Stewart that seemingly applied to three Filipino seafarers who were saved following the recent attack by Houthis against the MSC Orion container ship in the Indian Ocean.
This was revealed on Wednesday (01 May 2024) by newly-appointed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac who said there was a drone attack in the Indian Ocean suspected to be carried out by Yemen’s Houthis, an ally of Iran, who have been launching long-range missiles and drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with the Hamas militants fighting in the Gaza Strip.
“Drone attack in the Indian Ocean. No damage to the ship. Natamaan (it was hit) but very minor damage to the ship ng drone. This was on April 29… and the three Philippine crew in the second ship are saved,” Cacdac revealed.
On the other hand, 21 Filipino crew members were also rescued following an attack against the bulk carrier Cyclades.
“Drone attack in the Red Sea. Natamaan (it was hit) but again minor damage to the ship. April 29th… so two days ago… 21 Filipino crew are saved,” Cacdac further said.
The newly-appointed DMW chief reiterated that seafarers now have the right to refuse to sail through the Gulf of Aden and be repatriated instead.
On Wednesday, the DMW also admitted that there is no timeline yet for the release of the 17 Filipino seafarers who were among the foreigners held hostage in the southern Red Sea in November 2023.
“We’re praying hard that soon they would come home,” Cacdac said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay held in Cafe Adriatico in Malate.
Cacdac said the agency is closely coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding their efforts with other governments.
“In the meantime, ang directive ng Presidente is to handhold, and take care of the families, so we have been in constant communication with the families,” the DMW chief assured.
(el Amigo/MNM)
