The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Tuesday, July 29 that nine Filipino crew members of the bulk carrier MV Eternity C are safe and currently in held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
“We confirmed in coordination with DFA that the nine are in the hands of the Houthi forces and we are continually in close coordination with DFA and the families with reference to the safety, well-being, as well as the release and safe return of the nine,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac during a press briefing.
Cacdac clarified that of the 21 Filipino crew members aboard the Eternity C, eight have been repatriated safely, three have been reported dead, one remains missing, and the remaining nine are in custody of the Houthis.
The DMW, along with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has maintained active communication with the seafarers' families, who have confirmed the identities of their loved ones in recent photos and videos released by the Houthis.
In a video circulating online, the Filipinos were seen apologizing to the Palestinian people, reportedly under duress. They also urged shipping companies to cease 'trading and transactions' linked to Israel.
“We are sorry, Palestinian,” said the 11 sailors including the 9 Filipinos.
“To the owner or company, please stop your training or any transaction to Israelian, because Red Sea is safe, but if you have any transaction or trading to the Israel, you will get any problem,” said one the the Filipinos in a released video by Houthis.
The Houthi group claimed that they rescued 11 crew members following the attack on July 7, which left the Eternity C sunk and several crew unaccounted for.
In addition, Deputy Foreign Minister Eduardo de Vega also acknowledged the situation and will seek help to release the nine sailors.
“I don't want to use the term hostage. At least we know they are still alive," he told AFP on Tuesday, July 29.
“We will not speak directly to the Houthis. We will seek help from friendly countries,” he added.
Cacdac said the government is investigating the incident, including possible liability of the ship’s owner and its Philippine-based manning agency.
Cacdac also emphasized that policies are being re-evaluated to protect Filipino seafarers, including enhanced reporting requirements, route diversion protocols, and a strengthened right to refuse sailing through dangerous waters.
"And then there are reportorial requirements, of course, which were violated in our initial investigation. In this particular case, the ship having traversed the Red Sea three times, meaning three reports were required in this instant, in this particular case, and none of the reports, none of these three expected reports were submitted," Cacdac said.
“The licensed manning agency is still under suspension. And so with the ship owner, as we continue our more formal investigation for a more permanent penalty to be imposed,” he added.
In response to a recent Houthi statement announcing the escalation of naval operations against ships perceived to support Israel, Cacdac said the DMW would defer to the DFA and the Department of National Defense for further guidance.
"Kung sinabi sa amin ng Department of Foreign Affairs or ng DND na talagang delikado yung lugar at delikado for all seafarers, then we will take that into consideration in terms of whether or not we will allow our seafarers to board ships that navigate through the Red Sea," he said.
"But again, it's a security matter. The recent Houthi statement is a security matter that will require us to rely on the DFA and the DND," the DMW secretary added.
He reiterated, however, that the safety and welfare of Filipino seafarers continue to be the administration's top priority.
“Our monitoring efforts continue, and our support to the families is sustained,” he said.
“The safety and repatriation of all our seafarers remain our top priority,” Cacdac noted.
The Eternity C attack marked a dangerous escalation in Houthi actions targeting vessels in the Red Sea, a route now considered increasingly volatile due to tensions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Philippine government has reiterated its commitment that “no Filipino is left behind” as it works to resolve the crisis.
Eternity C vessel is one of two ships that were attacked and sunk by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea this month.
Meanwhile, the Eternity C reportedly sailed through the Red Sea multiple times despite warnings and existing policies to avoid the high-risk area due to escalating maritime threats linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
