13-3-2024 (MANILA) 11 Filipino seafarers arrived in the Philippines on March 12, nearly a week after surviving a harrowing Houthi missile attack off the coast of Yemen. The sailors, who were crew members of the Barbados-flagged, Greek-operated merchant ship True Confidence, were greeted with open arms by their loved ones and received government assistance upon their arrival in Manila.
The attack, which claimed the lives of three sailors, including two Filipinos, left the surviving crew members shaken but grateful to be alive. Mark Anthony Dagohoy, one of the crew members on True Confidence, expressed the difficulty in recounting the traumatic experience but expressed gratitude for the military personnel who rescued them.
“We just want to be with our family,” Dagohoy told a press conference, his voice filled with relief and emotion.
While the eleven survivors have returned home, two other Filipino seafarers who sustained major injuries during the attack are currently recovering in a hospital in Djibouti. Once they receive medical clearance, arrangements will be made for their safe return to Manila.
The Houthi rebel group, which has been embroiled in a protracted conflict in Yemen, has been carrying out attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November. The group claims these actions are part of a campaign in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing war in Gaza. However, these attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing companies to re-route their vessels on longer and more expensive journeys around South Africa, resulting in increased costs.
[1/2] BACK HOME. The 11 Filipino seafarers who survived the missile attack by Houthi rebels that hit their vessel MV True Confidence arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Tuesday (March 12, 2024). pic.twitter.com/nPnhYYF5hc
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) March 12, 2024
In response to the escalating dangers faced by Filipino seafarers in high-risk areas, the Philippine government has secured an agreement with the International Transport Workers Federation. This agreement grants Filipino seafarers the right to refuse deployments in areas deemed hazardous, providing them with a measure of protection and ensuring their safety takes precedence.
The Philippines, a major source of skilled seafarers for the global maritime industry, has a significant diaspora of overseas workers who contribute substantially to the country’s economy. These dedicated individuals, including the crew of True Confidence, send home more than US$2.5 billion (S$3.3 billion) each month, bolstering consumer spending and driving growth in the domestic economy.
#IndianNavy‘s swift response to Maritime Incident in #GulfofAden.
Barbados Flagged Bulk Carrier MV #TrueConfidence reported on fire after a drone/missile hit on #06Mar, approx 54 nm South West of Aden, resulting in critical injuries to crew, forcing them to abandon ship.… pic.twitter.com/FZQRBeGcKp
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 7, 2024
