Malacañang said Tuesday that the Marcos administration is working to ensure the safe return of 17 Filipino seafarers rescued from a Houthi rebel attack on a Greek-owned cargo ship off the coast of Yemen.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Briefer Claire Castro said the Filipino crew members are currently staying at a hotel in Djibouti as they await their flight back to the Philippines.
Citing reports from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Castro said all 17 Filipinos are safe following the assault.
“Sa pinakabagong report ng DMW, nakikipag-ugnayan ito sa agency ng mga tripulante para sa kanilang agarang repatriation (In the latest update from the DMW, the agency is coordinating with the seafarers’ manning agency to facilitate their immediate repatriation),” Castro said during a press briefing.
The crew had been aboard the bulk carrier MV Magic Seas, which was attacked on July 6 by Houthi rebels near Hodeidah, Yemen.
Castro detailed that the ship’s crew was rescued and transferred to the nearby container vessel Safeen Prism after a clash between the rebels and the MV Magic Seas’ onboard security team.
The ship came under heavy attack using drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire, forcing the 22-member crew to abandon the vessel.
Castro underscored that the DMW remains closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the safe return of all affected Filipino crew members.