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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA: 8 rescued Filipinos from Houthi-hit ship now in Saudi Arabia, to return home soon

DFA: 8 rescued Filipinos from Houthi-hit ship now in Saudi Arabia, to return home soon

Published Jul 15, 2025 10:14 am
Eight of the 21 Filipino seafarers from the sunken MV Eternity C are already safe in the port city of Jizan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and are under the joint custody of Philippine officials and their shipping agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday, July 15.

This image released by Ansar Allah Media Office in Yemen shows the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C is seen as it sinks in the Red Sea on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Ansar Allah Media Office via AP)
This image released by Ansar Allah Media Office in Yemen shows the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C is seen as it sinks in the Red Sea on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Ansar Allah Media Office via AP)
In a statement, the DFA assured that the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, the Migrant Workers’ Office-Jeddah, and the seafarers’ manning agency now have access to the rescued seafarers.

“The rescued Filipino seafarers will undergo mandatory medical assessment before their scheduled repatriation in the coming days,” the DFA said.

“The DFA wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending visa considerations to the eight Filipino seafarers on humanitarian grounds,” it furthered.

In a media interview on Monday, July 14, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that the agency and its embassies and consulates in the Middle East and in London have been coordinating with the governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the UK Maritime Operations, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure the safety of the Filipino seafarers.

“Hinihikayat natin ang ating mga kababayang tripulante na sana ay tumanggi munang lumayag sa Red Sea habang nananatiling mapanganib ang sitwasyon (We are urging our seafarers to refuse setting sail in the Red Sea because of the dangerous situation there),” she called out.

“Patuloy na isinusulong ng DFA ang karapatan, kaligtasan, at disenteng kondisyon para sa ating mga mandaragat (The DFA will continue to push for the rights, safety, and decent conditions for our seafarers),” she added.

The Liberia-flagged and Greek-operated MV Eternity C descended into the bottom of the Red Sea on July 10, or several days after the July 7 siege by Houthi rebels while it was sailing 50 nautical miles southwest of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.

The vessel was carrying 22 crew members, 21 of whom are Filipinos and one Russian.

Of the 21 Filipinos, eight have already been rescued and transferred to Saudi Arabia.

Related Tags

Houthi MV Eternity C DFA Filipino seafarers Red Sea saudi arabia
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