DMW suspends manning agency of 21 Pinoy seafarers attacked in Red Sea

DMW suspends manning agency of 21 Pinoy seafarers attacked in Red Sea
July 10, 2025 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/dispatch/952165/dmw-suspends...

The Department of Migrant Workers has suspended the license of the principal and manning agency of the 21 Filipino seafarers aboard the ship that was recently attacked by Houthi rebels.

In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said some protocols were violated when the Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C passed through the Red Sea.

“Currently, suspendido ang license ng manning agency at ang principal nito bilang paunang pagpataw natin ng regulatory measure, but there will be an investigation to take place,” Cacdac told reporters.

(Currently, the license of the manning agency and its principal are suspended as a preliminary measure, but an investigation will be conducted.)

“Prior to any boarding of a Filipino seafarer to any ship that will traverse the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, mayroon pang kailangang i-submit na risk assessment; mayroon pang requirement ng armed guard at maritime security escort, and our initial investigation reveals that these were all not observed,” he added.

(Prior to any boarding of a Filipino seafarer to any ship that will traverse the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, there is still a risk assessment that needs to be submitted; there is still a requirement of an armed guard and maritime security escort, and our initial investigation reveals that these were all not observed.)

Cacdac also noted that DMW may file administrative, civil, and criminal charges against the shipowner and manning agency.

However, it is currently focusing on the rescue operations of the Filipino seafarers.

Eternity C had 22 crew members on board, comprising of 21 Filipinos and one Russian.

It was attacked with sea drones and skiffs 50 nautical miles southwest of the port of Hodeidah on Monday.

In an order issued in March 2024, DMW mandates shipowners and manning agencies to report planned passages through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and ensure Filipino crew are informed of the risks.

One more seafarer rescued

DMW also announced that one more seafarer was found in the waters, bringing the total of six rescued seafarers.

“Bukod sa lima, mayroong isang nahanap na Indian armed guard so anim – limang Filipino seafarers and one Indian armed guard,” Cacdac said.

(Apart from the five, there was one Indian armed guard found, so six. We now have five Filipino seafarers and one Indian armed guard who were rescued.)

Cacdac did not disclose how the seafarers were rescued and where they were brought for security purposes.

He assured that the DMW will provide medical, physical, and mental health assistance to the rescued Filipino seafarers.

“They are in good condition. None of them has a serious physical injury or illness. Of course, it is safe to say, they may have some physical stress from what they went through,” Cacdac said.

Fatalities, missing seafarers yet to confirm

DMW has yet to confirm the reported fatalities and missing seafarers on the Eternity C, as search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

“Mayroon kaming impormasyon ng tatlong nasawi through the UKMTO pero, again, these too are subject to confirmation kaya’t mahalagang makausap namin ang mga limang tripolante,” Cacdac said.

(We have information about the three fatalities through the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization, but, again, these too are subject to confirmation, so it’s important that we talk to the rescued seafarers.)

According to a Reuters report, four seafarers were killed during the attack off Yemen.

DMW is also confirming reports that Houthi rebels took the rest of the missing crew members.

“This is something that is subject to confirmation, and we are working closely with (Foreign Affairs) Secretary Tess Lazaro and the DFA along these lines,” Cacdac said.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, GMA Integrated News