Manila: The rest of the Filipino crew members of the MV Magic Seas, one of the two Filipino-carrying vessels attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea this month, are scheduled to return to the Philippines on Saturday. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the 11 will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the evening, completing the total number of repatriates from the vessel.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Magic Seas, carrying 17 Filipino nationals, was sailing through the Red Sea on July 6 when the Iran-backed Houthis mounted their attack, eventually sinking the ship. The crew members were able to abandon the ship and were rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism.

In a news forum, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said all returning crew members are set to receive full government support, including a safety net in the form of financial assistance worth PHP75,000 from the DMW's AKSYON Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's (OWWA) Emergency Repatriation Fund. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also expected to provide an additional PHP10,000 in financial assistance.

The DMW, meanwhile, has yet to ascertain the fate of 13 Filipinos from the ill-fated MV Eternity C, who remain unaccounted for. The 13 were among the 25 sailors - one Russian, 21 Filipinos, two Indians, and one Greek security personnel - on board the vessel when it was hit by a suspected Houthi drone attack off the coast of Yemen on July 7. Three were confirmed dead, while six were reported abducted. Olalia said the government has yet to verify the nationality of the fatalities and those held hostage.

To date, eight Filipino seafarers have been rescued from the vessel. 'Yong sa walo inaayos pa (ang repatriation) kasi kailangan nating dalhin sa isang safe port at kailangan ayusin ang kanilang exit at mga visa (As for the eight, we are still working on their repatriation because they need to be brought first to a safe port and fix their exit and visas),' he said.