The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday, 12 July, said it 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.

DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia 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).

"Our belief is strong that they are still alive," Olalia continued.

"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," he added.

MV Eternity C was attacked Monday, 7 July, with sea drones and skiffs 50 nautical miles southwest of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.

It was reported to have already tilted by Tuesday night, 8 July, before it sank at around 8AM Arabian Standard Time (around 1PM in PH.)

The bulk carrier had 22 crew members on board, with 21 Filipinos and one Russian national.

On Wednesday, 9 July, DFA said last Wednesday that two Filipino seafarers aboard MV Eternity C were "most likely" killed.

Other 13 Filipino sailors remain unaccounted and the DMW is still verifying reports that they 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."