By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is looking into reports of a FIlipino seafarer who was possibly affected when Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht was reportedly attacked on Monday while navigating the Gulf of Aden.
In a media release on Tuesday, the DMW expressed deep concern over the incident.
“Ayon sa mga ulat, ilang tripulante ang nasugatan at kinailangang ilikas, at may posibilidad na kabilang dito ang isang Pilipinong marino (According to reports, several crew members were injured and had to be evacuated, and there is a possibility that a Filipino seafarer was among them),” the statement read.
“Agad pong nakikipag-ugnayan ang DMW sa ship operator, employer, mga manning agency, at sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) kasama ang ating mga konsulado upang beripikahin kung may Pilipino ngang kabilang sa mga apektado (DMW is immediately contacting the ship operator, employer, manning agencies, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) along with our consulates to verify if there are any Filipinos among those affected),” it added.
Initial reports said several crew members of the cargo vessel were injured and required evacuation after the ship was struck by an unidentified explosive device, which caused a fire and inflicted substantial damage on the ship.
“Following the attack, Minervagracht is suffering from a fire. As a result, two of the crew of Minervagracht have sustained injuries,” ship owner Spliethoff said in a statement issued on Monday.
Media reports said the ship has 19 crew members coming from the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Operation Aspides, the European naval force operating in the region, confirmed early Tuesday that the Minervagracht was “on fire and adrift” after the crew’s rescue.
The DMW said once the report on the Filipino casualty is confirmed, the agency is ready to provide immediate assistance, including medical care, repatriation if necessary, counseling, psychological support, legal aid, and other forms of support for the seafarer and his family.
The department also assured Filipino seafarers and their families that the Philippine government, through the DMW, is working to ensure their safety and well-being.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., patuloy na pinapalakas ng DMW ang proteksyon at pangangalaga para sa mga seafarer—lalo na sa mga lugar na mataas ang panganib gaya ng Gulf of Aden (In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW continues to strengthen the protection and care for seafarers—especially in high-risk areas like the Gulf of Aden),” it said. (PNA)
