Kinumpirma ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) na dalawang Pinoy seafarers ang nasawi matapos atakihin ng mga rebeldeng Houthi ang sinasakyan nilang barko sa Gulf of Aden.

“With great sadness, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirms the deaths of two Filipino seafarers in the most recent attack by Houthi rebels on ships plying the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” anang DMW sa isang pahayag nitong Huwebes, Marso 7.

“We in the Department of Migrant Workers sincerely extend our deepest condolences to the family and kin of our slain, heroic seafarers,” dagdag nito.

Hindi naman ibinigay ng departamento ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga biktima para sa kanilang privacy.

Samantala, ayon din sa DMW, dalawang Pilipinong crewmen ang lubhang nasugatan dahil sa naturang pag-atake ng mga rebelde sa kanilang barko.

“On the direction of the President, the DMW is extending the fullest support and assistance to the families of our seafarers,” anang DMW.

“The DMW is in touch with the ship’s manning agency and shipowner to ascertain the conditions of the rest of the ship’s crew, particularly the remaining Filipino crew members, as we have been informed that they have been taken to a safe port.”

Nakipag-ugnayan na rin daw ang ahensya sa principal ship owner at manning agency upang asikasuhin ang pagpapauwi sa natitira pang dalawang Filipino crew members.

“The DMW reiterates its call to shipowners with ships navigating the volatile Red Sea – Gulf of Aden sea lanes to comply strictly with the expanded ‘high risk areas’ designation and to implement appropriate risk mitigation measures, such as rerouting vessels and deploying armed security personnel onboard such vessels,” anang DMW.

“The DMW also calls for continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and to address the causes of the current conflict in the Middle East,” dagdag pa nito.