740 Filipino Seafarers Attacked In Red Sea And Gulf Of Aden, DMW Confirms

Cargo Ship — Image for representation purposes only

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) revealed that a total of 4,687 Filipino seafarers are still working in high-risk locations, including piracy and armed conflict zones, during the CREW Connect Global seafaring conference on Tuesday.

Among them, 740 Filipino seafarers have been attacked while transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed these alarming figures while discussing the dangerous situations that Filipino seafarers face.

While government agencies have increased their support, including asking shipowners to reroute vessels, Cacdac says stricter protocols and guidance are urgently required to protect seafarers in these risky zones.

Capt. Ashok Srinivasan, BIMCO’s manager of Maritime Safety and Security, raised concerns about the increasing violence in these seas, at the same conference.

“Shipping is being attacked, our seafarers are being attacked and murdered in the Red Sea,” said Srinivasan. “That is not the sort of risk anyone should ask our seafarers to take.” He urged governments to intervene directly, adding that the extent of violence has exceeded the ability of shipping companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Guy Platten, the secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, added the urgency, recalling the difficulties faced by the crew of the vessel Galaxy Leader, which was hijacked in November of last year.

“We still have 25 crew members on board, and can you imagine the distress that they and their families are going through at this moment and all our efforts have done nothing?” Platten said.

17 of the 25 crew members held hostage are Filipino nationals who are currently captured by Houthi terrorists.

Reference: Tribune

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