By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that nine Filipino seafarers from the ill-fated MV Eternity C are being held by Houthi rebels in Yemen, while assuring the public that the department is in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and international partners for their safe release.
The confirmation was made by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.
“Today, we confirm, in coordination with our DFA, that the nine are in the hands of the Houthi forces. And we are continually in close coordination with the DFA and the families with reference to the safety, well-being, as well as the release and safe return of the nine,” he said.
Cacdac said the seafarers were among the 21 Filipino crew aboard the MV Eternity C, which was attacked by Houthi rebels while traversing the Red Sea on July 7 (July 8 in Manila). The ship has since sunk.
On July 17, eight of the crew members returned home safely.
Cacdac said that three fatalities were reported by survivors, although this remains unconfirmed as no bodies have been recovered. One other seafarer is missing.
He said that before the release of a video on Monday by the Houthi forces showing the nine Filipino crew, family members had already received phone calls from the seafarers.
Cadac said the families confirmed the identities of the seafarers.
“As far as we know, from the information coming from the families is that they are in good physical condition. But of course, that’s not to say that we’re not working together with the DFA on ascertaining their condition and also their safe release. But right now, as it stands, under the circumstances, they have told their families that they are in good condition,” he said.
On the seafarers’ whereabouts, Cacdac deferred to the DFA.
Asked about recent Houthi threats to escalate military actions against vessels seen as supporting Israel, Cacdac said the DMW is relying on guidance from the DFA, as well as the Department of National Defense (DND), as they are security-related matters.
“Should the DFA and DND say it’s unsafe for all seafarers, we will take that into consideration in our deployment decisions,” he said.
Cacdac said that as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW continues to provide “full support and hand-holding” to the families of all 21 Filipino crewmembers of the MV Eternity C, including those who have returned home. (PNA)
