MANILA (UCAN): Stella Maris-Philippines reiterated its call for the immediate and safe repatriation of overseas Filipino workers stuck in the Israel-Palestine region after four seafarers were reportedly killed in a Houthi attack on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea.
“The welfare of our citizens abroad must always be a top priority,” said Father John Mission, national director of the seafarers’ ministry, addressing the government of president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., after the it announced on July 9 that two Filipino seafarers were “most likely” killed during an attack, while five of the 21 Filipino sailors aboard the Eternity C cargo ship had been rescued.
At least four were killed and many were “kidnapped’ in the second Houthi attack in a week on a Red Sea cargo ship, Reuters reported on July 10.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event,” Father Mission said on July 10. “As to the missing seafarers, we do hope and pray they will be recovered.”
Stella Maris-Philippines reiterated its call for the immediate and safe repatriation of overseas Filipino workers stuck in the Israel-Palestine region after four seafarers were reportedly killed in a Houthi attack on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea
He said Stella Maris-Philippines stands in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
“We ask our chaplaincies to reach out to the families in crisis and accompany them,” the priest added.
He also urged the Philippine government to take “enhanced measures to ensure the safety and security of our seafarers working in high-risk areas. It is vital that we prioritise their protection and well-being.”
On July 9, Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary, Eduardo de Vega, told reporters in Manila that cargo ship Eternity C had “sunk and rescue operations are ongoing.” The ship was reportedly carrying grains to Somalia for the World Food Programme when the Iran-backed militants attacked it.
Meanwhile, Migrant Workers secretary, Hans Leo Cacdac, reminded Filipino seafarers that they have the right to refuse sailing through “high-risk, war-like” regions, particularly traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, amid the latest attacks of Houthi rebels in the said danger zone.
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“This is merely a reiteration for our Filipino seafarers of their right to refuse sailing through high-risk zones, which is a well-entrenched maritime tradition,” Cacdac said at a press conference on July 8.
Amid continued threats of piracy and ransom, and ship attacks in African waters, and elsewhere, the Philippines has remained one of the biggest providers of shipping crew around the globe, numbering over 20 per cent of the world’s 1.2 million shipping manpower
Houthi rebels operating in the Red Sea have already attacked two ships with Filipino seafarers onboard: MV Eternity C with 21 Filipino crew on July 8, and the MV Magic Seas with 17 Filipino crew on July 6.
The 17 Filipino seafarers onboard MV Magic Seas were safe and accounted for, and will be repatriated back home, said Filipino officials.
Amid continued threats of piracy and ransom, and ship attacks in African waters, and elsewhere, the Philippines has remained one of the biggest providers of shipping crew around the globe, numbering over 20 per cent of the world’s 1.2 million shipping manpower.
The Philippine government has maintained a neutral stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, given the tough situation facing the country’s 2.1 million overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East region, including some 30,000 Filipinos living and working in Israel.
