MANILA – Nine Filipino seafarers from the sunken Liberian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Eternity C, held captive by Houthi militants in Yemen’s Sana’a, are poised for imminent release and transfer to Muscat, Oman, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday, December 3, 2025. The breakthrough, hailed as a diplomatic triumph, stems from collaborative efforts between the Philippine government and Omani officials, offering a glimmer of hope to families enduring months of anguish amid the Red Sea’s escalating conflict.
The ordeal began in June when Houthi rebels, backed by Iran and protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza, attacked the M/V Eternity C with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades, sinking the vessel in the strategic Red Sea corridor. Of the 22 crew members aboard – including 21 Filipinos – eight seafarers were rescued shortly after, but nine others were taken hostage. The Houthis, who have targeted over 100 commercial ships since November 2023, demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to the Gaza siege in exchange for the captives, turning the incident into a geopolitical flashpoint.
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro personally championed the cause, raising it during a July bilateral meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Sayed Badr bin Hamad El-Busaidi and following up via a November phone call. “The release was the outcome of efforts of Oman, in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs,” the DFA stated, expressing profound gratitude to the Sultanate for its pivotal mediation. The Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Migrant Workers Office will oversee the safe repatriation, ensuring medical checks and family reunions upon arrival.
No specific timeline for the transfer was disclosed, but sources indicate it could unfold within days, pending final Houthi approvals. The news brings relief to the hostages’ kin, who have staged vigils and lobbied Malacañang for swift action. “We’ve prayed for this every night – finally, our brothers are coming home,” said one relative from Iloilo, where many of the crew hail from.
In response to the Red Sea’s dangers – a chokepoint for 12% of global trade – the Philippine government has imposed a ban on Filipino seafarers joining vessels traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, classifying them as “war-like zones.” The Department of Migrant Workers mandates manning agencies to secure written guarantees of route avoidance, a measure credited with preventing further incidents since the Eternity C sinking.
The release underscores Oman’s growing role as a neutral broker in Middle East conflicts, having facilitated similar Houthi-mediated deals. For the Philippines, it’s a diplomatic win amid strained ties with Yemen’s Houthis, who continue targeting ships linked to Israel, the U.S., and allies. As the nine seafarers prepare for freedom, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of global tensions – and the quiet heroism of those who sail into the storm.