Manila: Six Filipino crew members of the ill-fated Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Magic Seas safely arrived in the country on Friday afternoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that three of the seafarers arrived at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga at about 4 p.m., followed by another group of three who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City. These repatriated crew members are among the 17 Filipino seafarers aboard the MV Magic Seas, which was attacked by Houthi forces.

DMW Assistant Secretary Francis Ron De Guzman, along with officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Medical Team, welcomed the repatriated seafarers at the NAIA. The DMW disclosed that the seafarers received financial assistance worth PHP75,000 each from DMW's AKSYON Fund and OWWA's Emergency Repatriation Fund. Additionally, the DSWD provided PHP10,000 each, and the MIAA Medical Team conducted health check-ups for the seafarers.

The OWWA also arranged hotel accommodations and transportation assistance to ensure the seafarers' safe journey back to their families. De Guzman assured the crew members that under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, the government would continue to support their reintegration and offer further assistance to aid in their recovery.

Meanwhile, the ship's chief officer, who arrived at the NAIA, expressed that while they remain in shock from the incident, they are appreciative of the timely assistance provided by the government. The MV Magic Seas was attacked on July 6 while sailing the Red Sea near Hodeidah, Yemen, and the crew managed to abandon the ship before being rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism.