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9 Filipino crewmen of MV Eternity C held by Houthi rebels - DMW

9 Filipino crewmen of MV Eternity C held by Houthi rebels - DMW

Provided by Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Department of Migrant Workers - 9 PH crewmen of ill-fated vessel held by Houthi rebels



MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Tuesday that nine Filipino seafarers of the Liberia-flagged vessel MV Eternity C are currently in the hands of Houthi rebels after they were attacked in the Red Sea earlier this month.

In a press conference, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that out of the 21 Filipino seafarers aboard the ill-fated vessel, nine are in the hands of Houthi rebels while three have reportedly died based on accounts of the eight who were rescued and had earlier returned to the country.

Cacdac, however, stressed that the reported fatalities are “still subject to further confirmation,” noting that the agency has yet to recover any bodies. Meanwhile, one seafarer remains missing.

READ: 8 Filipino seafarers of ill-fated MV Eternity C back in Manila

MV Eternity C was attacked by Houthi rebels, who came in fast-moving skiffs and were armed with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades, off the coast of Hodeidah, Yemen, early morning on July 8.

The bulk carrier had a total of 22 crew members, 21 of them Filipinos.

It was one of the latest attacks by the Yemen-based Islamist group, which has been targeting vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in 2023.

Cacdac earlier said that five Filipino seafarers were rescued after they were found in the water by rescue teams following the sinking of the ship, with the DMW chief later adding that three more were safe.

The eight seafarers arrived back home in Manila on July 16.

As for the nine who are currently in the custody of Houthi rebels, Cacdac said they are “in good physical condition” based on information coming from the families of the seafarers, although he added that the DMW has no knowledge on their precise location.

“[W]e are continually in close coordination with the [Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA] and the families with reference to the safety, well-being, as well as the release and safe return of the nine [seafarers],” Cacdac said during the briefing.

“We know the DFA is in coordination with the foreign governments that can help us, and we also have our honorary consul in Yemen,” he added. /gsg

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AFP-JIJI PRESS NEWS JOURNAL


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