DMW suspends manning agency of Filipino seafarers in Houthi attack

MANILA, July 11 ------ The Department of Migrant Workers has suspended the license of the manning agency and principal of the Filipino crew members of the ill-fated MV Eternity C, which sank off the coast of Yemen after being attacked by Houthi militants.

At least five Filipino seafarers have been rescued, while 17 remain unaccounted for, according to reports. A total of 21 Filipino crew members and a foreign national were on board the bulk carrier when it was attacked. “We are not happy, of course, with the way things [were] done out in terms of pinabiyahe iyong mga tripulante sa high-risk zone. Currently, suspendido ang license ng manning agency at ang principal nito bilang paunang pagpataw natin ng regulatory measure, but there will be an investigation to take place,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a Palace briefing.

Under a DMW Department Order 1 issued in March 2024, shipowners and manning agencies are mandated to report planned passages through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and ensure Filipino crew members are fully informed of the risks involved. Filipino seafarers have the right to refuse to sail in these so-called warlike zones.

Cacdac noted several violations, including failure to comply with the strict reportorial processes and other critical requirements prior to sailing. “Napakahigpit ng ating regulatory requirements, reportorial requirements prior to…boarding any Filipino seafarer to any ship that will traverse the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. Mayroon pang kailangang i-submit na risk assessment, mayroon pang requirement ng armed guard at maritime security escort. And our initial investigation reveals that these were all not observed,” the official said. “At hindi lamang iyon, dalawang beses nag-traverse sa Red Sea. Kasi kung iti-trace mo iyong ruta niya ng Egypt to Somalia, that’s one, okay, that’s one turn or one crossing across Red Sea; and then, bumalik ng Jeddah so a second one. So, at least two counts of violations of our rules and regulations,” he continued.

Cacdac said that the DMW was considering other possible legal actions against the manning agency and its principal. “We will look at other types of remedies that are available, civil and criminal remedies. But, again, that will be saved for another day. Sa ngayon, mamarapatin muna nating bigyan ng puwang o espasyo iyong pagligtas sa ating mga tripulante,” he said.

SOME CREW MEMBERS ABDUCTED?

Cacdac said they were verifying reports that there had been at least 3 fatalities in the MV Eternity C, as well as statements that Houthi militants allegedly abducted several crew members of the bulk carrier. “Well, we are fully aware of the, at least, two statements that have come out. The first, of course, is the Houthi statement that they have 'several' Eternity C crew; and second is the statement of the United States that they denounced this particular action of taking in the crew as a kidnapping action,” he said. “But in either case, we are still yet to confirm for ourselves whether indeed the Houthis have the rest of the crew. So, this is something that is yet subject to confirmation and we are working closely with Sec. Tess Lazaro and the DFA along these lines.” he added.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com