Houthis step up attacks on merchant ships: Relatives of Filipino crew pray for safe return of their loved ones

Manila: After recent Houthi attacks on ships crewed by Filipinos in the Red Sea – in which at least four merchant mariners were reportedly killed – families of seafarers aired emotional and urgent appeals.

Many expressed deep anxiety and frustration over the safety of their loved ones. 

On Thursday, a Filipino official confirmed that three of the 21 Filipino seafarers aboard the MV Eternity C died following a Houthi attack.

MV Eternity, hit early on Tuesday, was one of the two commercial ships attacked in the Red Sea within 24 hours, sparking concern over renewed threats to trading routes.

On Monday, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was fired upon near Yemen’s Hodeida coast by two skiffs and multiple drones. 

Reuters, quoting an official with knowledge of the issue, reported four seafarers on MV Eternity C were killed.

As of Thursday (July 10), eight of the 21 Filipino crew members of MV Eternity C had been rescued, after the attack between Monday midnight and early Tuesday morning.

In Manila, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), has begun visiting the families of the affected crew members to provide support and ensure they are informed about ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

The DMW has assured families that the government will provide all necessary assistance, including medical, physical, and mental health support for rescued crew and their families, as well as regular updates on search and rescue operations.

The family members were also given legal and financial assistance as needed.

“We're glued to the news every time. We are praying for their safe return," Amelyn Garcia, whose brother Erwin works as a bulk carrier crew, told Gulf News. "I tell him never to board the ship that will sail into dangerous waters."

"Every day is agony not knowing if they are safe or if they will ever come home,” Chic R., 36, whose husband works as a seaman.

Religious leaders, including Catholic bishops, have called for justice for the seafarers and support for their families, emphasising the need for accountability and protection for Filipino workers abroad.

Meanwhile, the DMW has suspended the licence of the manning agency responsible for the MV Eternity C and is pursuing civil and criminal remedies pending investigation.

The agency is also reviewing compliance with regulations designed to protect Filipino seafarers in high-risk zones.

As of early 2025, there are approximately 504,000 Filipino merchant mariners deployed worldwide across various ranks and ship types, up from about 460,000 in 2013, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers.

Another parent, speaking to reporters, pleaded for more decisive action:
“The government and the agencies should do everything to bring our children home. We just want to hear their voices and know they are alive,” the parent told local media.

Dangerous routes

Some families criticised shipping companies and manning agencies for not providing timely updates or for allowing ships to transit dangerous waters:

“Why do they keep sending Filipinos through these dangerous routes? Our children’s lives are not worth the risk,” a parent said.

They also called for stricter regulations and for shipowners to reroute vessels away from high-risk areas: “We hope the authorities will make sure no more Filipino seafarers are sent to these war zones.”

The Philippine government has been under pressure to ensure the safety and swift repatriation of Filipino seafarers.

There are calls for closer coordination with shipping companies and international agencies to avoid further loss of life.

Authorities have urged shipowners to divert routes away from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, despite the increased cost and longer transit times. Failure to comply may result in sanctions or bans on boarding Filipino crew, according to the Inquirer.

Rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope increases fuel costs, insurance premiums, and delivery times, affecting global supply chains, as per Insurance Business Mag.

Marine insurers have raised war risk premiums significantly. Some underwriters are restricting coverage or increasing deductibles for vessels operating in the region, leading to higher freight rates and added pressure on the shipping industry.

The Philippines, as the world’s largest supplier of seafarers, faces mounting pressure to protect its nationals.

The government has suspended licences of manning agencies that failed to report ship movements or comply with safety protocols.

Filipino seafarers are being reminded of their right to refuse assignments in high-risk zones, and stricter monitoring of crew deployments is being enforced.

The attacks have renewed concerns over freedom of navigation and the vulnerability of global maritime trade routes. 

Disruptions in the Red Sea, which carries about 15% of global maritime trade, threaten to escalate costs and destabilise international shipping.