The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) assured that it is making great efforts to assist the Filipino seafarers who were harmed by the Houthi missile strike in the Gulf of Aden.
Interviewed during DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Friday, Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said that the DMW is keeping in touch with the families of the two victims killed in the missile strike.
"Rest assured na kausap nating pareho ang pamilya. Personal na nakadaupang palad ang isang pamilya. Ngayong umaga ay pupuntahan ang isang family naman," Cacdac said.
"Para rin ipaabot ang full support and assistance. Ito ay direktiba ng ating Pangulo na bigyan ng support ang amilya sa panahon ng kanilang krisis," he added.
Meanwhile, the other three Filipino seafarers were brought to a hospital in Djibouti, in East Africa.
Ten seafarers who were not hurt were brought to a hotel in the aforementioned country.
"Kagabi, nakausap ko through video conference ang 10 at nakita ko na sila ay nasa mabuting kalagayan. Nakausap ko rin ang kapitan na Indiano na nagsabi na sila ay nasa mabuting kalagayan," Cacdac noted.
"Dinalaw din ng Indian captain yung 3 sa ospital. Ang sabi naman ay nasa stable condition, magandang balita sa 3 na nasa ospital. Seryoso ang injury pero nasa stable condition sila," he added.
Cacdac said that the missile hit the fuel section of the ship, and there was a big fire in the part where the two crew members who died were located.
"Yung 2 nasawi, magkasama sila at ang ulat kasi ng agency, ang tinamaan ay fuel section ng barko. Hindi naman sa fuel section mismo ang 2, pero ang kanilang lugar ay nasa area kung saan naabutan ng apoy," said Cacdac.
"Hindi ganoon ka-klasro ang set up o sitwasyon to the extent na hindi natin alam exactly. Sa ulat na natanggap ko. ang isang nasawi ay nasa lugar ng kainan. Ang isa ay nasa kanyang cabin."
The DMW's main goal, according to Cacdac, is to swiftly bring the Filipino seafarers home to be with their families.
Cacdac said 17 seafarers are now under the arms of Houthi rebels.
