By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
Five of the 21 Filipino seafarers manning the cargo vessel Eternity C, which sank in the Red Sea following a reported attack by Houthi rebels, have been rescued, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Wednesday night.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said the Liberia-flagged vessel has already sunk, and rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining crew members.
The DFA, meanwhile, has received reports of at least two fatalities but de Vega did not confirm their nationality.
“We know of two casualties. We cannot confirm four. We assume they are Filipino,” he said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The vessel was carrying 22 crew members—21 Filipinos and one Russian—when it was allegedly struck by drones and rocket-propelled grenades launched by Iran-backed Houthi militants off the coast of Yemen.
Hours before the attack, the Houthis claimed they had sunk another Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, the MV Magic Seas that was manned by 22 crew members, including 17 Filipinos.
De Vega said the Filipino crew of the other vessel were all rescued and are now on their way to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed that it facilitated the response operation for the MV Magic Seas in close coordination with specialized maritime authorities, including the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and relevant international organizations.
“The swift action reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to the safety and security of international maritime navigation and its humanitarian solidarity with all nations in addressing the increasing challenges in strategic waterways,” it said in a statement.
Assistance assured
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in a virtual briefing Wednesday evening, also refused to confirm the number of casualties, saying the DMW needed to talk first with the rescued seafarers.
“Na-confirm na nga ng shipowner na lumubog yung Eternity C, at sabay nito may limang tripulante na nasagip, nasa tubig sila, nakita sila ng rescue team at nasagip sila, hinahanap pa ang rest,” Cacdac said.
“We are still getting details as to how exactly that happened and the best way to find out is ‘pag nakausap na natin ‘yong lima na-rescue sa panayam.”
Cacdac said that initial reports of casualties have surfaced, however, he said that they have yet to verify this information.
He said that the best way to confirm this report is to talk directly with the five rescued crew members, noting that the survivors may provide crucial details on how the vessel sank and how they ended up in the water.
Cacdac said the five rescued seafarers are now safe but did not disclose their location for security reasons.
Meanwhile, Cacdac assured the public that the DMW are already in touch with the families of the Filipino crew members of MV Eternity C, while maintaining close coordination with the shipowner, maritime security firms, and the Philippine defense attachés on the ground.
“With regard to the families, we have engaged them and sinabi ko na rin sa families, pursuant to the directive of the President ay bibigyan sila ng tulong at hindi kami bibitaw hangga’t hindi ganap na naibibigay ang tulong na kailangan nila,” Cacdac said.
