Houthi rebels are holding nine Filipino seafarers after their vessel, the ill-fated MV Eternity C, was attacked at the Red Sea early this month, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Tuesday, July 21.

The DMW issued the statement after the Houthi rebels released a video on Monday stating that they rescued the missing crew members of the bulk carrier.

But DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they were aware of the fate of the missing seafarers before the video was released.

“This announcement by the Houthis basically confirms what we have surmised, what we already knew but subject to the conformation of identity of the families of the seafarers,” said Cacdac in a press briefing on Tuesday,

Aside from constant coordination with the families of the nine seafarers, Cacdac said the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, is seeking the assistance of “friendly countries” for the release of the nine Filipinos from the custody of the Houthi rebels.

“Our monitoring efforts continue, and our support to the families is sustained. The safety and repatriation of all our seafarers remain our top priority,” he said.

The bulk carrier MV Eternity C was attacked early this month. The ship had 22 crewmen, 21 of them are Filipinos.

Cacdac said eight other crew members of the bulk carrier were already repatriated to the country—while three others were reported to have died as a result of the attack.

“We want to clarify the current figures: there are three reported fatalities—not four, as earlier speculated—and one is still missing. This brings the total accounted to 12,” said Cacdac.

“The remaining nine seafarers have been confirmed to be in the custody of Houthi forces, based on our coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),” he added.

Since the incident, Cacdac said they have been communicating with the affected families, adding that they are also providing them with regular updates, psychosocial support, and assistance in accessing government services.