DMW: 2 ships with 38 Filipino seafarers attacked near Yemen

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday announced that two ships carrying a total of 38 Filipino seafarers were attacked by suspected Houthi rebels while sailing the Red Sea near Yemen.

In a statement, the DMW said 17 Filipino seafarers and two other crew members on board the Liberian flag vessel MV Magic Seas escaped an armed attack by a group believed to be Houthi rebels on Sunday.

According to the official report of the ship’s licensed manning agency (LMA), Crewcare Inc., the ship was sailing roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, at the time of the attack.



READ: 429-day ordeal ends for 17 PH seafarers held by Yemen rebs

The DMW noted that the rebels rode in small boats and were carrying automatic weapons and a rocket-propelled grenade. Despite this, the rebels were repelled by the ship’s security team, which was composed of four armed personnel.

The DMW said the crew were able to escape, while the ship sustained damages. The crew were later rescued by a passing container ship, Safeen Prism, and are now staying at a hotel in Djibouti, located in East Africa.

"The Department remains in close coordination with relevant government agencies and with the LMA to facilitate the safe and swift repatriation of the affected Filipino seafarers," Migrant Workers Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac said.

"We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the president informed of any significant developments as they arise," he added.

Later in a press briefing, Cadac said another ship, MV Eternity C, was assaulted by Houthi rebels off the coast of Hodeidah around midnight on Monday or early morning on Tuesday.

The DMW chief said the bulk carrier was carrying 22 crew members on board, 21 of which were Filipino seafarers.

Cacdac noted that reports from international media said two crew members of the ship were missing while two others were wounded. However, he said the DMW is still confirming the said reports.

“We are still confirming [these reports] at this hour. We are in close coordination with the manning agent, the principal or the ship owner. We're having difficulty communicating with them. We're a little frustrated about this, but we hope that they will come forward soon,” Cacdac said.

He added that the DMW has already reached out to the families of more than half of the 21 seafarers affected.

The DMW will also be working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the situation, said Cacdac, and will also reach out to international groups such as the International Transport Federation, the Union of Seafarers, and the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines. /mr

(2025/07/08-14:54)