No demands yet for captive seafarers – BusinessWorld Online
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said that it has yet to receive demands from Houthi rebels holding captive nine Filipino seafarers, whose ship they attacked and sank last month.
“We don’t know any information (on demands) right now,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac told reporters. “What’s important is that the Houthis themselves have already said that the crew members can call their families, as of now they are in good condition.”
On Tuesday, the agency confirmed that nine of the Filipino crew members of the Liberia-flagged vessel MV Eternity C were being held by Houthi rebels who attacked the bulk carrier on July 8. It was also confirmed that at least three Filipinos were killed in the attack.
Mr. Cacdac added that all eight crewmen, who have been rescued, have safely been repatriated to the Philippines.
He added that the agency is currently coordinating with the families of the kidnapped seafarers to check up on their conditions in the hand of Houthi rebels.
“Our President has ordered that the welfare of the families of all the crew members of the Eternity C, be taken care of. We are also talking to the families themselves to find out how the crew members are doing in the hands of the Houthis,” he said.
Mr. Cacdac said that the agency still has no definite timeline for the return of captive Filipinos and had deferred all negotiations to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Separately, Sherwin T. Gatchalian called on the Philippine government utilize all avenues to hasten the release of the captive crew members.
“The DMW and the DFA should actively engage in diplomatic efforts and reach out to friendly countries and international partners who can provide assistance and leverage their influence to help resolve this situation,” Mr. Gatchalian said in a statement.
Houthi rebels in small boats attacked and sank the MV Eternity C using drones and rocket propelled grenades as it was sailing in the Red Sea near Yemen. This was among the lates attack by the rebels after it pledged support for Palestinians in Gaza, since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in 2023. — Adrian H. Halili
