Some Filipino sailors were seen in a shocking video released by a rebel group called the Houthis, who are from Yemen and supported by Iran.
The video shows the crew from a ship called Eternity C, which was attacked and sunk in the Red Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday that some Filipinos were definitely in the video.
🧑✈️ “Yes, Meron” — DFA Confirms Some Are Filipinos
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega told GMA News Online:
“Yes, meron.”
(“Yes, there are [Filipinos].”)
But he also said that the exact number and names of the Filipinos seen in the video are still not clear.
“Ask DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) for confirmation,” he added, explaining that not all of the 11 people shown were Filipinos.
🚢 What Happened to the Ship Eternity C?
Earlier this month, the Eternity C, a cargo ship, was sailing in the Red Sea when it was attacked. The Houthi rebels fired weapons at the ship, causing it to sink.
The Houthis then released videos and pictures showing 10 crew members who they said they rescued from the sea. They also said:
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11 crew members were saved in total.
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2 were injured and were given medical help.
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1 body was found inside the ship and taken to a hospital morgue.
⚠️ Why Did the Houthis Attack?
The Houthi group said they are attacking ships they believe are connected to Israel. This is related to the ongoing war in Gaza, which began in October 2023.
There was a short break in these attacks, but now they are happening again—and more often.
The same rebel group also attacked another ship, the Magic Seas, just days later.
🇺🇸 U.S. and Human Rights Groups Respond
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The European Union’s navy team, called Operation Aspides, said that 15 out of 25 crew members from the Eternity C are still missing.
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They believe that 4 people might already be dead.
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The U.S. government has accused the Houthis of kidnapping the crew.
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Human Rights Watch said that what the Houthis did might count as a war crime because of the unlawful detention of innocent sailors.
😱 One Filipino Survivor Speaks Out
A Filipino sailor named Cocoy was one of the survivors. He shared his terrifying story during an interview.
“Akala ko po mamamatay na ako,”
(“I thought I was going to die,”) Cocoy said.
He was resting in his cabin when suddenly, the ship’s captain shouted over the intercom:
“We are under attack!”
The crew quickly ran to the “muster station”, which is a safe spot in the middle of the ship in case of emergencies.
📡 Still Waiting for Answers
As of now, GMA News has tried to contact both the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to get more information about the Filipino seafarers—but there’s still no official response.
