DFA eyes retrieval of remains of Pinoys killed in Houthi attack

The remains of the two Filipino seafarers who were killed in a missile attack by the Houthi rebel group are expected to be retrieved soon as their ship reaches Oman, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday. 

In a public briefing, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the bodies of the two deceased Filipinos are still onboard the MV True Confidence, days after it was struck on March 6 while traversing the Gulf of Aden. The Barbados-flagged bulk carrier is currently being towed to a port in Oman 

“Today, inuumpisahan nang i-tow ‘yung barko kasi umaapoy eh dahil in-attack ng missile. Tino-tow na papuntang Oman sa Port of Duqm kung saan pwedeng ma-recover. Isa-salvage operations at saka hahanapin ‘yung bangkay ng dalawa at [para] mauwi na,” de Vega said. 

(The ship is being towed because it was set on fire after it was struck by a missile. It is being towed to the Port of Duqm in Oman where the bodies can be recovered. There will be a salvage operation and a search will be made for the remains of the two Filipinos so they can be sent home.)

Among those aboard the Greek-owned vessel were 15 Filipinos. The 13 Filipino crewmen who survived the attack were transported to Djibouti onboard an Indian warship.

Eleven of the Pinoys will be returning to Manila on Tuesday, March 12, as confirmed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

“Dalawa ay injured pa. Nasa hospital pa roon pero gumagaling na at darating ang panahon na makakauwi na sila,” de Vega said. 

(Two are still injured. They are still in the hospital but their condition is improving. They will be able to come home eventually.)

The DMW said the two injured Filipinos will be repatriated to the Philippines as soon as they are medically certified as "fit for travel." 

The DFA has issued travel documents to the returning crew members, whose flight arrangements are being managed by their shipping and manning agencies.—RF, GMA Integrated News