In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, nine Filipino crew members of the ill-fated bulk carrier M/V Eternity C are finally set to be released after being held following a deadly Houthi rebel attack in the Red Sea last July. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the development on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Diplomatic Efforts Secure Release
The DFA stated that it received official information from authorities in the Sultanate of Oman confirming the seafarers' impending freedom. The Filipino crew will be transferred from Sana'a, Yemen to Muscat, Oman, as a crucial step towards their eventual return to the Philippines. The agency assured the public of the seafarers' safe and immediate repatriation once the transfer is complete.
This positive outcome is attributed to persistent diplomatic negotiations. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro personally took up the plight of the captured Filipinos with Omani Foreign Minister Sayed Badr bin Hamad El-Busaidi. Their first discussion happened during a bilateral meeting in July 2025, shortly after the attack, followed by a follow-up phone call in November.
"The release was the outcome of efforts of Oman, in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs," the DFA emphasized in its statement. "The Philippines expresses its sincerest appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman."
Tragic Attack and Previous Repatriations
The ordeal for the crew of the M/V Eternity C began on July 8, 2025, when Houthi forces launched an assault on the vessel in the volatile Red Sea. The ship, which had a total of 21 Filipino crew members on board, ultimately sank the following day, July 9.
The attack resulted in a tragic loss of life and a harrowing rescue operation. Of the 21 Filipino seafarers:
- Three were killed in the attack.
- One remains missing.
- Eight were successfully rescued shortly after the incident. These eight have already been safely repatriated and reunited with their families in the Philippines.
- The remaining nine are the subjects of this latest release announcement.
Path Forward and National Concern
The imminent release brings hope to the families of the nine seafarers who have endured months of uncertainty. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) had previously urged the public to pray for the unaccounted crew members, highlighting the national concern for overseas Filipino workers' welfare, especially those in high-risk areas.
The incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by Filipino mariners in global conflict zones. The successful diplomatic resolution involving Oman sets a precedent for international cooperation in securing the safety and freedom of overseas Filipino workers caught in geopolitical conflicts. The nation now awaits the safe return of its nine seafarers.
