DMW to confirm reports of another captured ship with Filipino crew

The Department of Migrant Workers said on Monday that the agency is still confirming reports of another Israeli-linked ship with Filipino crew seized in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said that DMW is still asking for official confirmation of the said incident.

"Currently, we are still asking for official confirmation regarding this incident. Of course, there are initial reports coming in and there are social media posts as well," Cacdac said in an interview.

"That is why we are still gathering information and confirming this incident," Cacdac added.

The OIC said that the DMW is coordinating with the manning agency to get more information about the incident as well as the condition of the Filipino crew.

Cacdac has not reported the total number of Filipino crew aboard the ship, as the department has yet to verify it.

The chemical tanker Central Park was seized by unidentified armed individuals on Sunday in the Gulf of Eden, as confirmed by both the vessel's managing company and a US defense official.

Central Park, a small chemical tanker, 19,998 metric tons, is managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd., a London-headquartered international ship management company owned by Israel's Ofer family.

Prior to this circulating issue, another Israeli-linked cargo ship with 17 Filipino seafarers was captured by Houthi, a Yemeni rebel group.

The Houthi group declared that in retaliation for Israel's invasion and occupation of Gaza, it will attack more Israeli vessels.