DMW suspends manning agency, eyes legal action after Houthi attack on Filipino seafarers
Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has suspended the license of the manning agency and its principal responsible for deploying Filipino seafarers to transit the high-risk Red Sea after their vessel was attacked by Houthi rebels early this week.
In a Palace press briefing, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said MV Eternity C violated existing DMW guidelines when it transited the Red Sea twice, despite standing advisories against sending Filipino crew through the area due to heightened threats from the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group.
Cacdac confirmed the suspension, citing violations of safety protocols and deployment regulations meant to protect Filipino workers in high-risk areas.
“Napakahigpit ng ating regulatory requirements… may risk assessment, maritime security escort, at armed guard. These were not observed,” Cacdac noted.
[Translation: Our regulatory requirements are strict—including risk assessments, maritime escorts, and armed guards. These were not followed]
Initial investigation shows the ship traveled from Egypt to Somalia and then back to Jeddah, crossing the Red Sea zone on both trips.
Beyond administrative sanctions, the DMW is now exploring legal options, including civil and criminal cases against the shipowner.
“We will look at other types of remedies that are available, civil and criminal remedies… Sa ngayon, mamarapatin muna nating bigyan ng puwang ang pagligtas sa ating mga tripulante,” Cacdac said.
[Translation: We’ll consider all available remedies, including civil and criminal. But for now, our priority is rescuing our seafarers]
Of the 21 Filipino crew members on board MV Eternity C, eight have been rescued and the status of the remaining crew remains unclear as the DMW and Department of Foreign Affairs continue to coordinate with international partners for their safe recovery.
The ship was attacked amid a series of Houthi offensives targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, part of a broader regional conflict affecting maritime routes.
