The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Saturday that no Filipino crew members were aboard the oil tanker attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed militia targeted the British vessel Cordelia Moon using an unmanned explosive-laden boat in a “kamikaze” style attack.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega stated, “Luckily, there were no Filipinos so far in the latest attack,” during a news forum in Quezon City.
The DFA also reminded Filipino seafarers of their right to refuse to sail through dangerous waters. Ships passing through the Red Sea are required to inform Filipino crew members of this right, and those who choose to exercise it can be repatriated.
Earlier this year, Filipino seafarers were prohibited from boarding vessels owned by companies whose ships had previously been attacked in the region, following the death of a Filipino sailor during a similar Houthi attack on the cargo carrier M/V Tutor.