PH gov't confirms Pinoy crew on board Houthi-hit ship in Red Sea; rescue underway

The Philippine government confirmed on Wednesday that Filipino seafarers were aboard a commercial vessel attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, with rescue operations now underway.

The cargo ship Eternity C sustained engine damage after it was hit during an assault by the Iran-backed Houthi group on Monday.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the crew remains on board and that the government is in direct communication with the Filipino captain.

"Mayroon tayong impormasyon na 'yung barko, nandoon pa rin kung saan ito inatake. Natamaan ang engine nito. 'Yung mga tripulante ay nandoon pa rin," said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Wednesday. 

(We have information that the ship is still in the area where it was attacked. Its engine was hit, and the crew is still on board.)

While unconfirmed reports of casualties have emerged, the department is still awaiting verified information from international sources and the ship's operator.

"As of kahapon, mayroong pagsalakay ng mga Houthi... Sa ngayon, mayroon nang rescue underway at mayroong mga reported about certain casualties pero hindi pa natin ito kinukumpirma," he noted. 

(As of yesterday, there was a Houthi assault... A rescue operation is currently underway and there are reports of some casualties, but we have yet to confirm them.)

He, however, assured the public that it is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts to secure the crew’s safety.

"We communicate directly with the seafarers themselves lalo na du'n sa kapitan na Pilipino," he said. 

(We communicate directly with the seafarers themselves, especially with the Filipino captain.)

Cacdac also reiterated that guidelines have been in place since early 2024 to allow Filipino seafarers to divert voyages away from the conflict-prone Red Sea. These guidelines also uphold their right to refuse deployment in high-risk areas.

"Mayroon nang guidelines na inisyu as early as February last year. Ito 'yung guideline ng diversion for the seafarer to divert their voyages and galangin ang seafarers' right to refuse sailing," Cacdac said.

(Guidelines were issued as early as February last year. These allow seafarers to divert their voyages and respect their right to refuse sailing...)

Under the policy, shipowners and manning agencies are required to report in advance any plans to transit through the Red Sea, enabling authorities to monitor risks to Filipino workers.

"Mayroong reportorial requirement ang mga ship owner and manning agency para malaman kung sino ang dadaan du'n," he added. 

(Ship owners and manning agencies have a reportorial requirement so we can know who plans to pass through the area...)

While the immediate focus remains on the rescue of the crew, Cacdac said the government will also evaluate whether the shipping company and manning agency complied with existing safety protocols.

"Ang pinaka-concern natin ngayon ay ang pag-rescue. Darating din tayo sa punto na aalamin kung may compliance ang manning agency na dapat iulat nila sa atin na may plano silang dumaan sa Red Sea," he said.

(Our main concern now is the rescue. Eventually, we will also look into whether the manning agency complied with the requirement to report their planned passage through the Red Sea.)

The DMW has not yet disclosed the number of Filipino seafarers aboard the ship but said further updates will be provided as soon as information is verified. 

Cosmoship Management, which manages the Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C, told Reuters there were 22 members on board the vessel — 21 Filipinos and one Russian — when it was attacked with sea drones and skiffs.

Four seafarers on board the Eternity C were killed, an official with knowledge of the issue said on Tuesday, according to a report by Reuters. Cosmoship Management was not immediately available to comment on the reported fatalities.

At least two other crew members were injured, according to an official with Aspides, the European Union's mission assigned to help protect Red Sea shipping. —KG, GMA Integrated News