MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) gave its assurance that it is “exerting all diplomatic efforts” to safeguard the welfare of all Filipino seafarers plying the world’s sea lanes.
In a statement released on Thursday, DFA said that it is focused on complying with the long standing presidential directive to ensure the wellbeing of all Filipino seafarers.
In the case of the latest attack in the Red Sea against M/V Eternity C, the DFA is “ascertaining the facts” regarding the condition and whereabouts of the seafarers, the statement read.
The DFA added that the effort is “an all-of-government approach” involving not just agencies, such as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration, but Foreign Service posts in the region as well.
Meanwhile, DMW confirmed that rescuers found three more Filipino seafarers, bringing the total number of rescued Filipinos from the MV Eternity C to eight.
“We have received a confirmed report that rescuers found 3 more MV Eternity C Filseafarers, bringing the total number of rescued Filseafarers to 8. The search for the others continues,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac posted on X.
We have received a confirmed report that rescuers found 3 more MV Eternity C Filseafarers, bringing the total number of rescued Filseafarers to 8. The search for the others continues.
— hans leo j. cacdac (@HansLeoCacdac) July 10, 2025
The Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated MV Eternity C comprised of 22 crewmen, all Filipino, except for one, according to DFA Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo De Vega.
De Vega also said that the ship has sunk, while rescue operations are now ongoing.
