Philippines to ban seafarers on vessels hit by Houthis

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will prohibit the hiring of Filipino seafarers by three major vessels that were involved in major attacks by Houthi militants.

“We therefore will no longer process or allow the boarding of seafarers on these three principals or ship owners who have been the subjects of attacks,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in an online briefing.

Cacdac was referring to the vessels Galaxy Leader, True Confidence and Tutor, whose Filipino crew members were either injured or killed during attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“We are mindful of the need for a threat and risk assessment that we will now require ship owners prior to entering the war-risk area, particularly that pertaining to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” Cacdac said.

He said the DMW will have the proper coordination with security experts in terms of helping the department in these threat and risk assessments.

“We will also be looking out for zero security measures that will enable our seafarers to become more protected,” Cacdac added.

He said one is the proper presence of maritime security escorts in the area.

“So in the Philippines, we will consult the relevant branches of the Armed Forces and our Coast Guard so that we will be properly informed about what constitutes the proper maritime security escort that will aptly protect our seafarers,” he added.

At the same time, Cacdac said they “will also require principals and ship owners to submit to them the maritime security forces protection that will be given to their ships that will navigate these routes, including the presence of armed guards and the inherent protection onboard the ships.”

Cacdac said these details will be required prior to processing of seafarers at this stage that aim to make principals, ship owners as well as the DMW more prepared.