BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) – Seafarers from Nueva Vizcaya province have expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the Provincial Local Government Unit here for their swift rescue efforts and assistance.
The seafarers, Captain Christian Domrique of Barangay Don Mariano Marcos in this town, Boatswain Emerson Loria of Barangay Ibung in Villaverde town, and Messman Mark Christian Domrique of Barangay Poblacion in Diadi town were among others who were rescued on board MV Tutor which was attacked by Houthi rebels from Yemen while sailing on the Red Sea on June 12.
Captain Domrique said the Houthi rebels used fishing boats as decoys in the attack.
He said more lives could have been lost if he had not declared a temporary work stoppage on the ship on June 12 in solidarity with the celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
“This decision possibly saved many crew members from harm during the attack. One crew member, who remains missing, was in the engine room at the time of the attack,” Domrique said.
He also thanked the national government through the Department of Migrant Workers, led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
The rescued Novo Vizcayano seafarers personally visited Governor Jose Gambito to thank him for his support for Vizcayano overseas foreign workers.
Governor Gambito reassured the seafarers of the provincial government’s support for Novo Vizcayano OFWs as they face various challenges abroad.
He said the OFW Welfare Center which was established earlier is designed to address the needs of OFWs, providing not only legal assistance but also psychological support for both the workers and their families.
“This center is here to ensure that our OFWs and their families receive the help they need, whenever they need it,” Gambito said. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)
