DMW: Philippines seafarers refuse to sail through Red Sea

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos are refusing to board foreign vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Around 78 Filipino seafarers have manifested their right to refuse sailing through identified war-like areas, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.

“From the old figure of 25, it has been updated to become 78 since we facilitated the process for the exercise of the right to refuse sailing in March,” Cacdac said Friday.

The DMW previously reported that it is considering restricting Filipino seafarers from boarding foreign vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea amid the recent attacks by Houthi rebels.

At this time, Cacdac said the DMW is set to hold another round of consultations and discussions with seafarers’ groups and other stakeholders.

He said the discussion is aimed at amending existing rules and providing better protection for Filipino seafarers.

The Yemeni Houthi movement attacked last June 12 the MV Tutor, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, in the southern Red Sea with an unmanned surface vehicle and an anti-ship missile. 

One Filipino crew member was trapped in the engine room of the ship that sank days after the attacks, but 21 of the Filipino crew were rescued.

Last March, two Filipino crew members were killed and two others were injured when their vessel, Barbados-flagged MV True Confidence, was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile also launched by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.