DFA: Marcos to discuss ensuring Filipino seafarers” safety with Germany

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to bring up in his working visit to Germany how the European country could help ensure the welfare of Filipino seafarers, following the fatal attack of Houthi rebel group on a merchant ship, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday. 

Marcos, who is currently in Berlin to enhance the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Germany, is set to meet with Chancellor Scholz where several agreements will be signed, including the Joint Declaration of Intent on Strengthening Maritime Cooperation.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the President will “absolutely” discuss with Germany how it could give the “highest protection” to Filipino seafarers. 

“We’re not going to tell Germany what to do, obviously. We’re not going to tell them to join the coalition or what. But we do expect, and they will, ensure that for ships bound for Germany or German-flagged vessels, they will give the highest protection to our seafarers,” the DFA official said during a Palace briefing. 

“And also with the situation where the Red Sea is concerned, of course they will give the voice and join the calls to an end to the current attacks,” he added. 

De Vega said that the public should await Germany’s statement after the meeting with Marcos. 

“We’re sure it’s going to be very successful,” he said.

In light of the recent missile attack of the Houthis which killed two Filipinos onboard the ship True Confidence which was traversing the Gulf of Aden, De Vega also expressed hope that the Magna Carta for Seafarers will be signed into law as soon as possible.

However, he stressed that the DFA acknowledges the need for the executive and legislative branches to thoroughly review the bill. 

“I believe that any law which will improve the lot of seafarers should be signed as soon as possible, but we fully respect the President and the legislators’ desire to improve the bill as it is. But certainly, we’d like to see a law passed,” De Vega said.

“But not so soon that they forgot whatever they wanted to fix in the first place. Pero sana, mapasa right away [but I hope it gets enacted right away],” he continued. 

In September last year, Marcos certified the Magna Carta for Seafarers as urgent “in order to address recurring deficiencies in our domestic laws pertaining to the training and accreditation of thousands of Filipino seafarers which endanger their employment in the European market in particular, and the global maritime arena in general.”

Currently, the proposed bill is still pending Marcos’ signature three months after the Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report.—AOL, GMA Integrated News