One of the crew members of MV Eternity C, a cargo ship sunk intentionally by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in Yemen on July 7, 2025, is an Ilonggo.

Alias “Rod” is a resident of Barangay Botong, Oton town, Province of Iloilo.

According to Rod’s sibling, Reynor Kent Canto, they got worried when they heard of the news. But gladness took over when they learned he was rescued successfully.

“Lahat kami apektado. Hindi makapag-focus sa work. Makikita mo talaga ang lungkot sa family. But we always think positive and pray na sana okay siya. And we know na strong person si brother,” Reynor said.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has no definite count yet of seafarers from Western Visayas who sailed with the ill-fated ship, but Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has already talked to the families of the unaccounted seafarers in Iloilo and Negros Occidental provinces. 

Further, repatriation of 17 Filipinos affected by the Houthi attack has been arranged.

DMW is validating, as of this writing, the exact number of Ilonggos affected. They were already provided financial assistance and reintegration services. They also went through medical checkup, physical, and mental health assessments.

“It’s a whole of government approach. Lahat na ahensya na may iba’t-ibang serbisyo, iniutos ng Presidente na magbigay ng serbisyo,” Cacdac said.

M/V Eternity C had a ship roster of 22 seafarers, 21 of which are Filipinos.

According to DMW, eight of them were rescued by the authorities, and all are in stable condition.  

Search and rescue operation on 13 remaining Filipinos is ongoing, as of this writing.

“Ang Houthis may statement na they have several of the seafarers. Pero ayon sa DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs], i-validate pa ang information, ang statement ng Houthis upang mabatid kung totoo,” Cacdac said.