QUEZON CITY — Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the 13 missing Filipino crew members of MV Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier that was sunk by Houthi rebels on July 7, 2025, while sailing through the Red Sea near Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula.

The vessel was attacked with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades.

Of the 21 Filipino crew on board, eight were rescued after spending 48 hours adrift at sea, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Bernard Olalia confirmed during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

The assault was part of the Houthis’ campaign targeting ships in the Red Sea, which they claim is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza following the Israel-Hamas conflict that erupted in 2023.

Olalia stated that the DMW is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense to sustain search and rescue efforts.

“They are already speaking with their foreign counterparts there so that the search efforts can be sustained and we can find our additional missing seafarers,” he said.

He also revealed that the department is verifying reports that three Filipino crew members may have been killed by the Houthi rebels, although he remains hopeful they are alive.

“We strongly believe that they are still alive because their companions who survived there for more than 48 hours, floating, were rescued, and hopefully, we can also save most of those who are missing,” he added.

Olalia explained that the exact number of casualties remains uncertain and will be verified after interviewing the eight survivors.

“Because they will say that someone died on the ship during the missile attack, and maybe there are missing people whose whereabouts are not yet known, so we can know the total number of casualties,” he explained.

“One of our challenges is that we know that the Houthis have taken some. The problem is, we don’t know the exact number they have captured so we can’t say how many more we should look for,” Olalia admitted.

Meanwhile, Olalia also announced the Saturday night arrival of 11 Filipino crew members from MV Magic Seas, another cargo ship attacked and sunk by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on July 6.

“These men endured a traumatic and tragic ordeal that demands immediate care,” Olalia said, noting that the Philippine government is providing psychological and social support, financial aid, and medical assessments.

The seafarers landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11 PM, following the arrival of six others at Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Friday night. This completes the repatriation of all 17 rescued crew members from MV Magic Seas.

The Filipino crew, along with Vietnamese and Romanian counterparts, were able to abandon ship before it sank due to Houthi missile strikes.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac personally welcomed the repatriated Filipinos.

“You are skilled and brave. We have the Aksyon Fund to provide you with help and support, but that’s not what matters most. What matters is that you made it home safely,” Cacdac said.

Saturday News Forum