THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday said that it is continuing search operations for the 17 Filipino seafarers, who went missing following a Houthi attack on their vessel last Monday.

“The 17 are still being searched, and among the 17 would be the reported casualties that we still have to confirm. There’s an ongoing search operation, and we are still hoping that they are alive,” Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said in a statement.

He added that six, including five of the 22-member MV Eternity C were and an Indian armed guard, have already been rescued after Houthi rebels attacked and sank the ship last Monday.

He said that Houthi rebels in small boats attacked the ship with missiles and rocket propelled grenades.

The rescued crew members are now safe in an undisclosed location, where they will be given basic needs, administered medical exams, and adequate rest.

“Rest assured, once there will be an opportunity to get in touch with them, we will of course do all we can to provide the necessary assistance and starting with the medical and physical and mental health assistance that we can provide to them,” he told reporters in a palace briefing.

There are three reported fatalities, according to information from the UK Maritime Trade Operations, which the DMW has yet to confirm.

“At the moment, we have information about three fatalities through the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) but, again, these too are subject to confirmation so it is important that we speak to the five crew members but of course we will give them some space,” he said.

He added that the license manning agencies (LMA) and the ship’s principal has been suspended, pending an investigation after violating the DMW’s protocols.

“Our initial investigation reveals that (the protocols) were all not observed, and not only that, it traversed the Red Sea twice,” Mr. Cacdac said. “If you trace its route from Egypt to Somalia, that’s one turn or one crossing across the Red Sea, and then back to Jeddah, so a second one.”

The attack also coincided with a separate attack on the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Magic Seas, which came under assault by Houthis. The 17 Filipinos and two other crew members have already been rescued and are expected to be repatriated on Friday.

“The first one was on Sunday when the MV Magic Seas was attacked and the seventeen crew members of the MV Magic Seas are safe and they are slated to come home tomorrow, July 11,” Mr. Cacdac said.

Meanwhile, the agency also released Advisory no. 21, calling all ship owners with Filipino crew members to avoid “high risk and war like areas.”

“All LMAs and their accredited foreign principals must reroute or divert their vessels manned by Filipino crew to avoid designated warlike and high-risk zones, particularly the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” the agency said.

The DMW added that LMAs and principals must honor the right of Filipino seafarers to refuse sailing in the high-risk areas.

“Immediate and safe repatriation must be arranged for those invoking this right,” the advisory said.

The notice also strictly prohibits Filipinos from deploying in previously attacked ships, traversing on high-risk zones, and had been targeted by Houthi rebels. — Adrian H. Halili