Eight Filipino seafarers from Houthi-hit ship return home

Eight Filipino seafarers from the Greek-owned vessel MV Eternity C arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

The seafarers were among the 21 Filipino crew members aboard MV Eternity C and returned via Saudia Airlines Flight SV870.

Upon arrival, each received financial assistance amounting to a total of P150,000, sourced from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) emergency repatriation fund.

Additional support was also provided, including medical care from the Department of Health and reintegration aid from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Before their repatriation, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said Jeddah Labor Attaché Fidel Macauyag waited at the Port of Jizan in Saudi Arabia for nearly four days to assist and escort the seafarers home.

MV Eternity C sank in the Red Sea on 7 and 8 July 7 after being attacked twice by Houthi militants using drones and rocket-propelled grenades. The vessel had 22 crew members on board, 21 of whom were Filipino.