Seaman’s wife asks why ship in Houthi attack sailed on despite missile threat

The wife of one of the two Filipino seafarers who have been reported killed in the missile attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen on M/V True Confidence wants to know why the vessel proceeded on its journey in the Gulf of Aden even after being informed of the threat.

Her husband was one of the two Filipinos reportedly killed in the missile attack perpetrated by Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, she said that her husband sent her a message at past 10 a.m. on the day of the attack to tell her about the missile threat.

“Nag-chat siya sa akin na babalik na raw sila kasi hindi nga kakayanin nga kasi po talagang may warning na sa kanila ang naval ng Yemen na kapag tumuloy pa rin sila, responsibilidad na rin po nila kung ma-missile yung barko nila,” the wife told GMA Integrated News. 

(He said in a chat that they were turning back because of the warning given to them by the Yemen navy; that if they went on their course, it was already their responsibility if they’d be hit by a missile.)

She said her husband sent another message around noon, telling her that the ship would continue on its course.

The wife received the last message from her husband around 4 p.m.

“Sana maimbestigahan din po ng maayos kasi nag-warning naman sa kanila eh. Hindi ko alam bakit bumalik pa rin sila,” the wife said.

(I hope this will be looked into because they had been warned. I don’t know why they continued on their course.)

Iranian-backed Houthis of Yemen claimed responsibility for firing an anti-ship ballistic missile at the bulk carrier on March 6.

Last week, the Department of Migrant Workers announced the death of two Filipinos and said two other crewmen were severely injured in the attack.

But the wife also is holding on to the hope that her husband and his bosun are still alive.

She also expressed dismay after she said she was ignored by survivors and their families.

“Nagri-reach out po ako sa kanila, sa mga pamilya nila. Wala man lang pong nag-reply sa akin, ang sakit po. Sila buhay po sila, nandito na nakauwi. Wala man lang info sa asawa ko,” she said in tears.

(I reached out to them, to their families. I received no reply from them. It hurts. They’re alive, they’re already home. I don’t even have information on my husband.)

Earlier today, the two remaining injured crew arrived in the country via an air ambulance from Djibouti.

According to DMW, the two were received by a medical team and taken to the hospital where they will continue their recovery.

Last Tuesday, eleven other crews of M/V True Confidence arrived in the Philippines. —NB, GMA Integrated News