Five solons have called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to adopt appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers following the missile attack in the Gulf of Alden and the Red Sea.
Representatives Ron Salo, Salvador Pleyto, Khymer Adan Olaso, Felimon Espares, Presley De Jesus, and Lex Anthony Cris Colada made the appeal under House Resolution No. 1651 filed on March 14.
"The House of Representatives calls on the DFA and DMW to engage with the international concerned actors and authorities to adopt appropriate measures that ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers from the ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea," they said.
Gobyerno hinamon na magpatupad ng kongkretong hakbang sa kaligtasan ng mga Filipino seafarers dahil sa panganib ng mga pag-atake sa Red Sea | RH 12 @milkyrigonan #DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 19, 2024
LIVE: https://t.co/xCMFH43mvT pic.twitter.com/cICKpU8rMR
According to the solons, sailing in the vicinity of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden along the Coast of Yemen "is unsafe for seafers" amidst the escalating conflict.
They cited the Houthi missle attack on UK-owned bulk carrier Rubymar which killed two Filipinos and injured two others last February 18.
The solons also cited the hostage in Galaxy Leader cargo ship in which 17 Filipino crew members were onboard.
"Since 19 October 2023, Yemen's Houthis have been continuously attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, with Britain and the United States and other countries launching attacks, further exacerbating tensions in the region without any signs of resolution," they said.
