Philippine seafarers who survived Houthi Red Sea attack arrive home

MANILA - Eleven Filipino seafarers arrived in the Philippines on March 12, nearly a week after they survived a Houthi missile attack off Yemen.

They were crew members of the Barbados-flagged, Greek operated merchant ship True Confidence which the Houthis attacked last week, killing three sailors, including two Filipinos.

The migrant workers' ministry said in a statement that the 11 survivors received government help on arriving in Manila.

Mr Mark Anthony Dagohoy, a crew member on True Confidence, said it was difficult to recall what they went through, but he was thankful for the military personnel who rescued them.

"We just want to be with our family," Mr Dagohoy told a press conference.

Officials said two other Filipinos who sustained major injuries were recovering in a Djibouti hospital.

Once cleared medically, they will be flown back to Manila.

The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November in what they say is a campaign in solidarity with Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted global shipping, raising costs as companies have been forced to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around South Africa.

[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

Foreign affairs undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said on March 12 the Philippine government has also reached a deal with the International Transport Workers Federation for Filipino seafarers to have the right to refuse deployments in high-risk areas.

The Philippines is a major source of seafarers for the global maritime sector.

They are among millions of overseas Filipinos sending home more than US$2.5 billion (S$3.3 billion) each month, boosting consumer spending, which drives 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