Relief and gratitude filled the air on Wednesday as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that all 12 Filipino crew members aboard the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht are safe following a terrifying attack in the Gulf of Aden.
According to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, two of the seafarers are still under medical care—one with minor injuries, and another with more serious but non-life-threatening wounds.
“Ten crew members, including those with minor injuries, are out of danger and expected to return home soon,” Cacdac assured.
Safe but Shaken
The Filipino crew, along with other sailors of Russian, Ukrainian, and Sri Lankan nationalities, have been moved to a secure location. The DMW said the Filipino seafarers will be transferred again before finally boarding their flight back to the Philippines this weekend.
Behind the scenes, the families of the crew are receiving close support as they await the safe return of their loved ones.
A Nation’s Support
In a show of unity, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a whole-of-government response to welcome the seafarers once they land back home.
The DMW detailed the services lined up for them:
-
Accommodation from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
-
Financial aid and psychosocial counseling from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
-
Medical check-ups from the Department of Health (DOH)
For now, the families and the nation breathe a sigh of relief. What could have ended in tragedy has instead turned into a story of survival, resilience, and hope—proof of the courage of Filipino seafarers sailing the world’s most dangerous waters.
