Nine Filipino seafarers held captive by Houthi forces have safely returned home after five months on Thursday evening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. 

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

At a briefing in NAIA Terminal 1, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac said the crew’s release and transfer from Sana’a to Muscat was made possible through the diplomatic work of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the cooperation of the Omani authorities.

The seafarers were flown through a military aircraft from Sana’a to Muscat for around two hours and 45 minutes before their flight 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.

Cacdac said Omani authorities extended exceptional cordiality and hospitality throughout the repatriation process and expressed appreciation for their support. 

He added that the seafarers were in good spirits and are “physically fit and excited to go home” when he met them. 

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

The DMW secretary described the reunion of the seafarers with their families last night as “priceless,” adding that the DMW had provided counseling, home visits, medical support, and coordination with manning agencies to ensure timely wage allotments during the five-month period. 

“There were months when wages were delayed by a week or two. So we summoned the agency and told them that the least they could do is to give timely wages to the seafarers’ families,” Cacdac recalled.  

Will they return to sea?

Cacdac said he personally asked the seafarers whether they intended to sail again. 

“I asked them. Their answer to me, verbatim, was 50–50. I told them they should stay healthy for when they board again… they said, ‘Sir, it’s 50–50.’ They will discuss it with their families first.”

He said the seafarers want to spend time with their families before making any decision on returning to maritime work, but should they opt to resume sailing, Cacdac said the DMW can coordinate with their manning agency to facilitate employment. 

Accountability and preventive measures

Both the shipowner and the manning agency have been penalized since the vessel passed through the Red Sea without compliance of the reportorial requirements under DMW regulations. Sanctions include suspension of deployment and recruitment activities.

Cacdac added that the seafarers were never asked on whether or not they agree on the matter of passing through the Red Sea. 

“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.”

The Filipino captain, Cacdac said, is also undergoing disciplinary measures related to the incident. 

Assistance

The DMW together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has already begun extending assistance to the victims. Before their repatriation, both agencies have also been assisting the family of the victims. 

The seafarers will also undergo medical checks with the help of the Department of Health. 

A one-stop assistance hub will also be set up for the returnees to replace government IDs and documents that sank with the vessel.

MV Eternity C had 22 crew members on board including 21 Filipinos. Eight were repatriated in July. 

The DMW reported three fatalities, and one missing crew member.

“Three have died. The fourth one is indeed missing… The narrative about him is that he jumped from the ship and was not found.”