DFA to seafarers: Avoid sailing in Red Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Following last Wednesday’s Houthi attack on an oil tanker that sent a ship carrying 23 Filipinos and two Russians adrift at sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is urging Filipino seafarers to refuse or avoid sailing in the Red Sea.

In an advisory issued yesterday, the DFA said all ships plying the Red Sea are exposed to a situation that “has worsened due in part to the conflict escalation that poses a clear and present danger to all Filipino seafarers working in the area.”

“The DFA therefore urges Filipino seafarers to exercise prudent choice and (use) their ‘right-to-refuse sailing’ in the Red Sea,” the announcement said.

Reports said at least three missiles hit the M/T Sounion as the ship was sailing the flashpoint waters on Wednesday.

The missile hit the ship’s engine, but fortunately the damage was not enough to sink the vessel.

All the crew has been rescued from the ship, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

In a separate statement, he said 122 seafarers have declined to board foreign ships passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

He added they intend to strictly implement the ban on the hiring of Filipino seafarers for shipping companies whose vessels had their crewmembers held hostage, injured or killed during attacks on the maritime thoroughfare. — Rhodina Villanueva