Philippines Calls for Help in Securing Release of Filipino Crewmembers Held by Houthis
Following the recent release of a video by the Houthis showcasing crewmembers from the bulker Eternity C in Yemen, the government officials in the Philippines have swiftly responded by seeking support from other countries to ensure the safe return of the individuals. Cosmoship Management, the vessel’s managing company, also issued a plea for assistance in repatriating the crewmembers.
Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega refrained from labeling the situation as hostage-taking but emphasized the urgency of the crewmembers’ release, stating, “We’re not going to talk directly with the Houthis. We’re going to seek help from friendly countries.”
The Department of Migrant Workers in the Philippines confirmed that nine of the individuals shown in the video are Filipino seafarers from the Eternity C. Despite being held in Yemen, the crewmembers are reportedly in good health and have received necessary medical attention. The department is working in collaboration with international partners to secure their safe return.
Recently, eight Filipino seafarers were successfully repatriated with the support of the government and Cosmoship after being rescued by salvage teams. The company expressed relief upon seeing the crewmembers in the video and reiterated its commitment to ensuring their safe return.
Tragically, two seafarers lost their lives during the attack on the vessel, while two others are still missing and feared dead. The Houthis claimed to have conducted a rescue operation, saving 11 individuals from the ship, with two sustaining injuries requiring medical treatment.
The video released by the Houthis included crewmembers recounting that they were misled about the vessel’s destination, intending to load fertilizer in Eilat, Israel. The Houthis used this opportunity to issue threats against ships heading to Israel, leveraging the crewmembers as a warning.
Notably, the Philippines faced a similar situation in 2024 when negotiating the release of crewmembers from the Galaxy Leader held by the Houthis for 14 months. The political complexities of such negotiations highlight the challenges faced in securing the safe return of seafarers.