PHMANILA, Philippines – A Filipino seafarer was killed when Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked bulk carrier MV Tutor in the southern Red Sea on June 12, the White House confirmed.
“A few days ago, the Houthis attacked the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned and operated bulk cargo carrier merchant vessel Tutor, killing a crew member who hailed from the Philippines,” US White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said in a news briefing on Monday, June 17.
He noted that the vessel “had just completed a port call in Russia and was bound for Egypt” and had “nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza.”
“The Houthis killed an innocent crew member from the Philippines and critically wounded a Sri Lankan sailor who were guilty of no crimes, who were simply doing their jobs…. They weren’t delivering arms to Israel, they weren’t taking sides in the Middle East. They were just manning their posts aboard ship trying to earn a paycheck and keep global commerce moving,” Kirby said.