The Filipino seafaring community is currently in the news, with survivors of a recent deadly bulk carrier attack in the Gulf of Aden arriving in Manila and the government pledging to work towards the release of crew members abducted by the Houthis nearly four months ago.
The government in Manila is collaborating with representatives from other countries to negotiate for the release of 25 seafarers, 17 of whom are Filipinos, who were taken by Houthi rebels while on board the car carrier Galaxy Leader last November near Yemen.
Foreign undersecretary Eduardo De Vega expressed his frustration at the prolonged captivity of the Galaxy Leader crew during a press briefing yesterday.
De Vega assured the families of the crew members that efforts are ongoing to secure their release, emphasizing that it is not just a Filipino issue but a global concern.
The ship, owned by Ray Car Carriers and operated by Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), was seized by the Houthis and taken to Salif port in Yemen. De Vega mentioned that the health of the crew has deteriorated over the past 114 days.
The ship’s owner issued a statement urging the Houthis to show compassion during Ramadan and release the innocent seafarers.
Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has repeatedly called for the release of the crew members, emphasizing the importance of their safety.
Last week, two Filipinos and a Vietnamese were killed in a missile attack on the bulk carrier True Confidence, marking the first fatalities in the Red Sea shipping crisis. Four others were injured in the attack, with eleven victims repatriated to the Philippines.
Second officer Mark Anthony Dagohoy spoke on behalf of the crew, expressing the difficulty of recalling the tragic incident that led to their vessel catching fire.
The government has provided each Filipino survivor with an initial financial assistance of $1,000.
The Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) has called on shipowners to divert their vessels away from the Red Sea until safe transit can be ensured, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to protect seafarers in high-risk areas.
