The Marcos administration is undertaking efforts to facilitate the safe repatriation of the 17 Filipino seafarers who were rescued from the Greek-owned bulk carrier MV Magic Seas, following the July 6 incident involving an attack by Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen.

Filipino seafarers are currently in a hotel in Djibouti, waiting for their flight back to the Philippines, Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office said on Tuesday.

Citing reports from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Castro said the 17 Filipino crew members are safe following the attack off the coast of Hodeidah in Yemen.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Castro said the crew members were rescued and transferred to the nearby container ship Safeen Prism after a firefight between the MV Magic Seas’ security team and the rebels.

The rebels attacked the ship with drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire on July 6, forcing its crew of 22 to abandon ship.

“Sa pinakabagong report ng DMW, nakikipag-ugnayan ito sa agency ng mga tripulante para sa kanilang agarang repatriation,” Castro said.

“Tiniyak ng DMW na nakatutok ang ahensya sa sitwasyon ng mga tripulanteng Pilipino mula sa kanilang pagka-rescue at pagbalik sa bansa,” she added. | PND