DMW confirming if 3 Pinoys killed in MV Eternity C attack

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is still verifying reports that three of the 21 Filipino crew members of MV Eternity C were killed in the attack by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

At a news forum in Quezon City, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia on Saturday said search and rescue operations for the remaining 13 Filipino seafarers are ongoing, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of National Defense (DND).

"Malakas ang ating paniniwala na sila ay buhay pa… (Our belief is strong that they are still alive)," Olalia said.

"Mayroon tayong unconfirmed reports. Aalamin natin ito sa mga kababayan natin na na-rescue… sa oras na makausap natin sila. Tatlo ang sinasabi sa news na may kababayan tayong namatay sa MV Eternity C," he said. 

(We have unconfirmed reports. We will verify this with our countrymen who were rescued... once we get in touch with them. News reports have said some of our countrymen at the MV Eternity C have died.)

The DFA said last Wednesday that two Filipino seafarers aboard MV Eternity C were "most likely" killed.

Olalia reiterated that the other 13 Filipino sailors remain unaccounted.

He said the DMW is still verifying reports that the unaccounted Filipino sailors are being held captive by the Houthis.

Meanwhile, the eight rescued Filipino crew members are now in a "safe port" for their "eventual facilitated repatriation."

The DMW has suspended the license of the principal and manning agency of the 21 Filipino seafarers aboard the ill-fated ship. 

Eternity C had 22 crew members on board, comprising of 21 Filipinos and one Russian. Reuters had reported that three guards were also on the vessel during the incident.

It was attacked Monday with sea drones and skiffs 50 nautical miles southwest of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.

In an order issued in March 2024, the DMW mandated shipowners and manning agencies to report planned passages through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and ensure that Filipino crew are informed of the risks.

Olalia reminded Filipino seafarers of their right to refuse to sail. 

The Philippines is one of the world's largest providers of shipping manpower.

A bulk of Filipino seamen or more than 20% of the world's 1.2 million sailors man oil tankers, luxury liners, and passenger vessels worldwide, exposing them to attacks, piracy and ransom kidnappings. — VDV, GMA Integrated News