The Philippine government has barred Filipino seafarers from boarding ships traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, citing heightened risks from escalating Houthi rebel attacks in the region, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Tuesday.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac issued the directive during a virtual press briefing, specifically prohibiting Filipino seafarers from boarding the MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C after both vessels were targeted by Houthi militants in separate attacks on Sunday and Monday.
“The prohibition is absolute for these ships passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Cacdac said. “We urge shipowners and manning agencies: do not deploy Filipino seafarers in these high-risk zones where we are seeing a renewed surge of Houthi attacks.”
On Sunday, Houthi rebels assaulted the MV Magic Seas near Hodeidah, Yemen, using automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, missiles, and four uncrewed surface vessels launched from eight skiffs. Seventeen Filipino seafarers and two other crew members abandoned the ship and were rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism. Cacdac confirmed the crew is safe and returning home.
A day later, Houthi militants claimed responsibility for attacking the MV Eternity C, carrying 21 Filipino seafarers and one Russian crew member, using sea drones and skiffs. International reports indicate two crew members were seriously injured and two others are missing. Cacdac said the DMW is working to verify these reports but is facing challenges communicating with the ship’s manning agent and owner.
“We’re frustrated by the lack of communication, but we’re doing everything we can to confirm the status of our seafarers,” Cacdac said. The DMW is also reaching out to the seafarers’ families, with plans for virtual or in-person meetings to provide support.
Under a March 2024 DMW order, shipowners and manning agencies must report planned passages through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and ensure Filipino crew members are fully informed of the risks. Cacdac emphasized that seafarers have the right to refuse deployment to “warlike zones” without jeopard of losing their jobs.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed us to prioritize the welfare of our seafarers and their families,” Cacdac said. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide all necessary assistance.”
The DMW’s actions reflect growing concerns over the safety of Filipino seafarers, who form a significant portion of the global maritime workforce, amid persistent security threats in critical shipping lanes.
