11 Philippine seafarers who survived Houthi attack on ship in Red Sea arrive home

Eleven Filipino sailors made their way to the Philippines on Tuesday ( 12 March ), almost a week after recovering from a Houthi missile attack in Yemen.

The Houthis attacked the Barbados-flagged, Greek-operated merchant ship Real Confidence last month, killing three seafarers, including two Filipinos, with their team members on it. The migrant staff ‘ government claimed in a statement that the 11 victims received government assistance upon arrival in Manila.

Real Confidence team representative Mark Anthony Dagohoy said it was difficult to recall what they went through, but he was appreciative of the military personnel who helped them.

Dagohoy stated at a press event,” We just want to be with our home.”

Two other Filipinos who suffered significant wounds were being treated in a Djibouti doctor, according to officials. They will be flown up to Manila once they have been cleared biologically.

Since November, the Houthis have been attacking boats in the Red Sea as part of what they claim is a battle of unity with Palestinians fighting in Gaza.

Costs have increased as a result of the problems, which have forced businesses to re-route their routes around South Africa in longer, more expensive ways.

According to Eduardo de Vega, the Asian government has even reached a bargain with the International Transport Workers Federation that grants Filipino sailors the right to refuse operations in high-risk places.

The international maritime industry relies primarily on the Philippines for its seafarers. They are one of the thousands of Filipinos who reside abroad and send home more than US$ 2.5 billion each month, helping to boost consumer spending and promote private development.