DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Twenty-one Filipino seafarers, rescued after their vessel, the MV Tutor, was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, are set to arrive in Manila on Monday afternoon. The arrival also marks the repatriation of the remains of three Filipino workers who tragically perished in a fire in Kuwait.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the seafarers reached the Port of Manama in Bahrain at approximately 5:30 PM on Saturday. Their rescue was facilitated by the United States Navy, which safely extracted the sailors from the conflict zone.
Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, Anne Jalando-on Louis, received the seafarers upon their arrival in Bahrain. Following stress debriefing and medical evaluations, the group was prepared to board a flight home, accompanied by DMW Labor Attaché Hector Cruz.
The incident occurred on June 12, when the MV Tutor, carrying the Filipino crew, was attacked by Houthi rebels while navigating the turbulent waters of the Red Sea. Responding swiftly, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed all relevant government agencies to ensure the safe return of the Filipino sailors.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, speaking at a media forum on Saturday, emphasized that Filipino seafarers are given the option to decline assignments in high-risk areas such as the Red Sea, underscoring the government’s commitment to their safety and well-being.
In a parallel repatriation effort, the remains of three Filipino workers who died in a fire in al-Mangaf, Kuwait, will also be arriving on Monday. The fire, which also broke out on June 12, devastated their apartment and claimed their lives.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has been working diligently to expedite the repatriation process, as per President Marcos’s directive. The OWWA’s Kuwait Post has been coordinating with the victims’ next of kin to ensure all necessary documents are in order for a smooth transfer of the remains.
The agency has also pledged to provide comprehensive assistance to the families of the victims during this difficult time.
As the nation awaits the arrival of the survivors and mourns the loss of those who perished, these events highlight the perils faced by Filipino workers abroad and the government’s efforts to protect and repatriate its citizens in times of crisis.
