The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Sultanate of Oman announced that nine Filipino seafarers of the ill-fated M/V Eternity C, held hostage by the Houthis in the Red Sea, will be released and will be transferred from Sana’a, Yemen, to Muscat, Oman.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, December 3, the DFA explained that the release resulted from Oman’s efforts and its cooperation with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
“The release was the outcome of efforts of Oman, in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro personally discussed the plight of the Filipinos with her Omani counterpart, Foreign Minister Sayed Badr bin Hamad El-Busaidi, during a bilateral meeting in July, and again raised the matter during a phone call in November,” the statement added.
The statement also noted that the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Migrant Workers Office in Muscat will coordinate arrangements for the safe and immediate return of the Filipino seafarers to the Philippines.
The Philippines expressed its sincerest gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for its assistance.
Earlier reports indicated that the M/V Eternity C sank in the Red Sea following repeated attacks from Yemen-based Houthi militants using sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades.
The vessel was sailing under the flag of Liberia and had a crew of 22 members, 21 of whom were Filipinos.
