SIXTEEN Filipino seafarers remain unaccounted for after a cargo vessel attacked by Houthi rebels off the Red Sea sank.
In a press conference, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that of the 21 Filipino crew members aboard the MV Eternity Sea, five were rescued after the ship sank on Wednesday afternoon, July 9.
The vessel was attacked by Houthi rebels at midnight on July 8, while en route to Hodeidah, Yemen, damaging its engine room and communication system.
Among those rescued was the ship’s Filipino captain.
Cacdac said the five rescued Filipino seafarers are now on their way to a safer location.
“They are in good condition, none of them have serious physical injury or illness,” Cacdac said.
Cacdac said there were reports that three crew members were killed during the attack, but this remains unverified.
He said they are hoping that the 16 missing Filipino seafarers are in the hands of the Houthi rebels, considering one of the group's statements following the attack that all crew members are being held hostage.
He added that a maritime security team has been tapped by the ship owner to help rescue the missing Filipino crew members.
“Currently, suspendido ang licensed manning agency at principal bilang paunang pagpataw ng regulatory measure. But there will be an investigation to take place. Mahigpit ang ating regulatory requirements, reportorial requirements prior to any boarding Filipino seafarer to any ship that will traverse the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. Meron pang kailangan i-submit na risk assessment, meron pang requirement ng armed guard at maritime security escort,” said Cacdac.
“Our initial investigation reveals that these were all not observed. Dalawang beses pa nag-traverse sa Red Sea ‘yung barko,” he added.
Cacdac said they will consider other possible legal actions against the ship owner and the manning agency, but for now, their priority is the safety of the Filipino seafarers.
The Houthis have been launching attacks on international vessels traveling through the Red Sea region since the last quarter of 2023, in support of the Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
At least two Filipino seafarers have been killed in these attacks. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)