AT around 11 a.m. on Monday, Gulf Air Flight GF154 landed at NAIA Terminal 3, carrying the 21 Filipino seafarers rescued from the Houthi-hit MV Tutor in the Red Sea.
They were welcomed at the airport by officials from the Department of Migrant Workers, led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Department of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, and officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Upon arrival, Immigration officers assisted them with documentation, and the Department of Health conducted a debriefing due to the trauma they experienced from the Houthi rebels’ attack on the MV Tutor.
Each Filipino crew member of the MV Tutor also received Php 230,000 in financial assistance from the government.
According to the DMW, Php 150,000 came from the House of Representatives, Php 50,000 from the DMW, and Php 10,000 from the OWWA. Additionally, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided Php 20,000 to each seafarer.
Before returning to the Philippines, the 21 Pinoy crew members also received Php 30,000 each.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac initially stated that out of the 22 Filipino seafarers aboard the MV TUTOR, 21 are safe.
No injuries were reported, but one Filipino seaman is still missing.
“We have to be precise about this. He is missing, not found, and must be located before we can conclude what happened to him. Yes, search and found,” according to Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac, DMW.
According to reports, Houthi rebels attacked the Liberia-flagged Tutor off the west coast of Yemen with drones and missiles on June 12.
Aboard the MV Tutor were 22 Filipino seafarers.
The attack, near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room, preventing the ship from maneuvering.
