Arya News - Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Raffy Tulfo both called for stronger safety measures for Filipino seafarers and assistance for those affected by the incident.
MANILA – Several senators on Thursday urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure the safety and protection of Filipino seafarers in high-risk areas following the death of two Filipino crew members in an attack on a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Raffy Tulfo both called for stronger safety measures for Filipino seafarers and assistance for those affected by the incident.
Their statements came after the DMW confirmed that two Filipino seafarers were killed after the Saudi-flagged M/V SIDR was hit by unknown projectiles while about to traverse the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 31.
Fourteen other Filipino crew members aboard the vessel survived the incident unharmed.
“The deaths of two Filipino seafarers following an attack on a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker while transiting the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week are deeply unfortunate. The DMW should ensure that the families of the victims, including those who survived the attack, immediately receive all the necessary assistance during this difficult time,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“Hindi pa tapos ang kaguluhan sa Middle East kaya kailangang siguraduhin ng gobyerno ang kaligtasan ng lahat ng OFWs sa rehiyon, kabilang ang mga Pilipinong marino. Prayoridad dapat ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng safety protocols sa mga lugar at bansang itinuturing na high-risk areas,” the Senate president added.
(The conflict in the Middle East is not yet over, so the government must ensure the safety of all OFWs in the region, including Filipino seafarers. Strict implementation of safety protocols should be a priority in areas and countries considered high-risk areas.)
Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, likewise expressed his sadness over the incident and said his office is coordinating with the DMW to ensure the safety and welfare of the Filipino seafarers who survived.
“Sisikapin nating matiyak na sila ay ma-repatriate sa lalong madaling panahon at maibigay sa kanila ang lahat ng kinakailangang tulong, gayundin sa mga pamilya ng ating mga kababayang nasawi,” Tulfo said in a separate statement.
(We will work to ensure that they are repatriated as soon as possible and provided with all the necessary assistance, as well as the families of our fellow Filipinos who died.)
Tulfo also called on the DMW to ensure that manning agencies and shipping companies respect and enforce the seafarers’ “Right to Refuse Sailing” in high-risk areas such as the Strait of Hormuz without putting their entitlements and benefits at risk.
He said seafarers should also give informed consent and be properly briefed on the security risks before boarding and sailing.
Meanwhile, the DMW has likewise vowed support to the families and the colleagues affected by the incident, along with coordination with authorities.
The DMW also earlier said that it was arranging for the repatriation of the Filipino seafarers.