MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) extends its sincere condolences to the families of the two Filipino crew members of the civilian bulk carrier True Confidence, which was the subject of a missile attack from Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In a statement released by the DFA, it confirms that the 13 remaining Filipino seafarers were brought by the Indian Navy to Djibouti, where three of them are in the hospital due to serious injuries.

The DFA also mentioned that the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt will be dispatching a team to Djibouti to provide assistance to the Filipino seafarers, including replacing their travel documents that were reportedly left on the ship.

In the same statement, the DFA said that the Philippine Government “remains steadfast” in the belief that inter-related conflicts affecting the region at present will be resolved through diplomacy and adherence to international law.

Photo courtesy of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

The DFA hopes that such actions through diplomacy will lead to the resumption of free and unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation for the world economy and the international community.

Earlier, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed 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.

"We in the Department of Migrant Workers sincerely extend our deepest condolences to the family and kin of our slain, heroic seafarer," it continued.

Two other Filipino crewmen, the agency said, were severely injured in the attack.

Reports say that the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier M/V True Confidence owners and manager earlier confirmed the incident took place about 50 nautical miles southwest of Aden, while on its way from China to Jeddah and Aqaba, carrying a cargo of steel products and trucks.