Nine Filipino seafarers, who had been held captive by Houthi forces for five months, arrived safely home Thursday evening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

The nine were part of the 21 Filipino crew members aboard the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV Eternity C, which sank after a Houthi strike in July.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed at a briefing that the crew’s release and transfer from Sana’a, Yemen, to Muscat, Oman, were the result of diplomatic efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the cooperation of Omani authorities. The seafarers were flown via military aircraft before their final journey to the Philippines.

“As they got off, we welcomed the nine as they were descending the stairs from the aircraft. And we had a chance, of course, to see them and talk to them right there upon their arrival,” Cacdac said, noting they were “physically fit and excited to go home.”

DFA OIC-Undersecretary Ezzedin H. Tago said DFA Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro had discussed the matter with Omani authorities during a July bilateral meeting and followed up again in November.

Cacdac expressed appreciation for Oman’s “exceptional cordiality and hospitality” during the repatriation process.

The DMW chief described the reunion of the seafarers with their families as “priceless” and the agency had provided counseling, home visits, and medical support over the five months, and coordinated with the manning agencies to ensure timely wage allotments to the families.

When asked about returning to maritime work, Cacdac said the seafarers told him their decision was “50–50” and that they would discuss it with their families first. The DMW is ready to facilitate employment should they opt to sail again.

Cacdac confirmed that both the shipowner and the manning agency have been penalized, facing sanctions including suspension of deployment and recruitment activities, for the vessel passing through the Red Sea without complying with DMW safety regulations.

He stressed that the seafarers were never consulted on the decision to transit the high-risk area.

“We don’t need to beat around the bush when we say we hope this never happens again, or else there will be punitive measures for manning agencies and principals who violate our safety rules for seafarers,” Cacdac warned.

He added that the Filipino captain is also undergoing disciplinary measures related to the incident.

The DMW, alongside the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Health, is providing medical checks and assistance. A one-stop assistance hub will be set up for the returnees to replace government IDs and documents lost when the vessel sank.

The MV Eternity C had 22 crew members on board, including 21 Filipinos. Eight crew members were repatriated in July. The DMW reported three fatalities in the incident and one crew member remains missing, believed to have jumped from the ship.