27 Filipino crew members of Houthi-attacked 'Navigator' going home

MANILA – Repatriation efforts for the 27 Filipino crew members of the M/V Transworld Navigator are underway, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Arnell Ignacio said Friday.

"Sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., agad na kumilos ang DFA, DMW at OWWA upang mabilis ang pagpapabalik sa bansa ng 27 seafarers (Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA immediately took action to quickly repatriate the 27 seafarers)," Ignacio said in a press statement.

The Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned and operated cargo carrier M/V Transworld Navigator was attacked by Houthi rebels on Sunday, using an uncrewed surface vessel, while traversing the Red Sea.

DMW Secretary Has Leo Cacdac said it was the fourth attack on a shipping vessel navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with Filipino crew members. The others were M/V Galaxy Leader, M/V True Confidence and M/V Tutor.

Yemen's Houthi rebels owned the attack on M/V Transworld Navigator, and on another ship, Stolt Sequoia, in the Indian Ocean using cruise missiles.

"Sa kabutihang palad, ligtas ang lahat ang 31 crew nito, kabilang ang 27 Pilipinong seaman (Fortunately, its 31 crew, including 27 Filipino crew members, are all safe)," OWWA said, adding they were in constant communication with the families of the 27 seafarers. (PNA)