MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the two Filipino seafarers who died in the recent attack by Houthi rebels on merchant vessel navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Eden, assuring their families that all efforts are exerted to bring their remains home.

“I joined the nation in offering our deepest sympathies to the families of the two Filipino seafarers who perished in the Houthi attack on True Confidence. The government is in constant contact with their families, and we will spare no effort in bringing their remains home,” President Marcos said in a statement.

President Marcos said the “13 surviving Filipino seafarers” are now safely in Djibouti and are being assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Cairo to return safely home as soon as possible along with the three others who were injured during the attack.

The President has already instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to provide the necessary assistance to the affected seafarers and to their families.

President Marcos also ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist the victims.

The Barbados-flagged bulk carrier M/V True Confidence was on its way from China to Jeddah and Aqaba, carrying a cargo of steel products and trucks when it was attacked by Houthi rebels about 50 nautical miles southwest of Aden.

At least 15 Filipino crew members were on board the merchant vessels when the incident happened.

President Marcos joined with global calls “for the end to this conflict and for full respect for the principle of freedom of navigation” as he emphasized that the Philippine government is firmly committed to the safety and welfare of the Filipino seafarers and overseas Filipino workers in the affected region. (PND)