Demonstrating the administration’s firm resolve to protect Filipino lives abroad, eight seafarers who were rescued from a deadly Houthi rebel attack in the Red Sea safely returned to the Philippines on July 16, following urgent directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In a Palace press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced that the Filipino crew members of the M/V Eternity C., who were under assault by Houthi forces on July 7 and 8, had arrived home after receiving immediate humanitarian aid in Jizan Port, Saudi Arabia.

The repatriation was made possible through swift coordination among the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayang nasagip mula sa mga Houthi rebels sa Red Sea, nakauwi na sa bansa kagabi, July 16, ang walong seafarers na nasagip mula sa M/V Eternity C,” Castro said.

Castro added that the rescued seafarers will receive additional support from the government, including financial assistance, medical care, and reintegration services.

Reaffirming the government’s continued efforts to protect its citizens overseas, the administration is reaching out to the families of the 13 other Filipino crew members who remain unaccounted for.

Castro emphasized that these actions reflect the President’s commitment to placing the welfare and well-being of the Filipino people at the forefront of his administration’s priorities.

“Ang lahat ng hakbang na ito ay ayon sa nais ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na tiyakin ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga seafarers, isang patunay na sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang maiiwang Pilipino saan mang panig ng mundo.” I PND