Manila: The remains of the Filipino crew member of the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel MV Minervagracht, who died due to injuries sustained during a Houthi attack in late September, finally arrived in the country on Sunday. His family received the remains of the fallen seafarer along with representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the licensed manning agency that deployed him.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DMW announced in a news release that the remains would be transported to Iligan, the hometown of the deceased seafarer's wife, before being taken to Zamboanga del Sur, where his parents and other relatives await. The Department of Migrant Workers has extended its deepest condolences to the family and assured continued assistance and support in accordance with the instructions from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that the DMW is conducting a thorough investigation into the possible liability of the agency and its foreign principal. He emphasized that if any violations are confirmed, penalties such as suspension or revocation of accreditation may be imposed to safeguard the welfare and rights of Filipino seafarers, especially those operating in high-risk maritime areas like the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Yemen's Houthi militants attacked MV Minervagracht on September 29 while it was navigating the Gulf of Aden. The ship had 19 crew members onboard, including 12 Filipinos, when it was struck by an unidentified explosive device. Two of the Filipino crew members suffered injuries, including the fallen seafarer. The other injured seafarer was repatriated on October 10 and is continuing his recovery in a hospital in Metro Manila.
The remaining 10 Filipino seafarers were repatriated back to the country on October 4 and received PHP75,000 in financial aid from the DMW AKSYON Fund. On Friday, Cacdac met with the 10 surviving crew members at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City, where he assured continued assistance and vowed to hold their manning agency accountable for possible violations of existing deployment and cross-sailing regulations.
The repatriated crew members shared their harrowing experiences during the incident and expressed concern that their manning agency may have violated Department Order 03, Series of 2024, which prohibits the deployment of Filipino seafarers to vessels transiting war-like or high-risk maritime zones. Cacdac assured accountability, stating, "We assure you that anyone who violates our rules will be held accountable. There is no discipline without sacrifice and it is always Filipino seafarers who give their lives to keep maritime trade safe and alive."
