The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday denounced the recent Houthi assault on the MV Tutor, a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged merchant vessel navigating the Red Sea, which was carrying Filipino crew members at the time of the attack.
In an official statement, the DFA confirmed that the MV Tutor was targeted by an unmanned surface vessel (USV) operated by Houthi forces on June 12. The department has not yet disclosed the exact number of Filipino nationals aboard the vessel.
“The Philippine government will take all necessary measures to secure the safety and well-being of the Filipino crew on board and ensure justice,” the DFA declared. “We call on all UN member states to protect the human rights of seafarers. We remain steadfast in ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipino seafarers worldwide.”
The United States Central Command reported on Thursday that the MV Tutor had most recently docked in Russia. The attack, it said, resulted in severe flooding and significant damage to the ship’s engine room.
The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by international shipping in the region, particularly for vessels traversing the strategically crucial but perilously contested waters of the Red Sea. The Philippine government has pledged to pursue all diplomatic and legal avenues to safeguard its nationals and seek accountability for the attack.
