Photo credit: DMW

After weeks of waiting and heartbreak, the remains of the Filipino seafarer who died in the Houthi attack on the MV Minervagracht have finally arrived home in the Philippines on October 19, 2025.

The fallen seaman was welcomed by his grieving family at the airport, joined by representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the licensed manning agency that deployed him to the ill-fated vessel.

According to initial reports, the remains will be brought first to Iligan City, where his wife is from, before being transferred to Zamboanga del Sur — his hometown, where his parents and relatives await his return.

In a statement, the DMW extended its deepest sympathies to the family and assured them of continued assistance and support, following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“We mourn with the family of our fallen seafarer and assure them that the government stands with them during this difficult time,” the DMW said.

The department also called on the public to offer prayers and respect for the bereaved family as they go through their time of mourning.

Meanwhile, the DMW has launched a thorough investigation to determine possible liabilities of the manning agency and its foreign principal. Sanctions will be imposed if violations of DMW regulations are confirmed.

Earlier this month, 10 other Filipino crew members safely returned home on October 4, while another seafarer who was seriously injured arrived last October 10 and is now recovering.

As the family prepares to lay their loved one to rest, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the risks Filipino seafarers face while working across the world’s most dangerous waters.