The Philippine government announced that eight out of the 21 Filipino seafarers from the MV Eternity C have safely reached Jizan, Saudi Arabia. This development follows the vessel’s sinking after being attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the rescued seafarers are now under the care of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah and will undergo medical assessments before repatriation.
The DFA expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for granting humanitarian visas to the seafarers. The MV Eternity C, which was carrying primarily Filipino crew members, sank after repeated assaults involving sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades.
In response to the incident, the Philippine government has prohibited Filipino seafarers from boarding vessels operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which have been declared “war-like zones.” The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has mandated that manning agencies provide a written guarantee that ships with Filipino crews will avoid these dangerous waters.
Additionally, the DMW requires a detailed itinerary from agencies for crew employment contracts, ensuring safety for Filipino maritime workers.
Share it now
