Mandaluyong city: The anticipated release of the nine Filipino crew members of MV Eternity C held hostage by the Houthi militants would be the best Christmas gift for them and their families. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said in an interview that the Philippine government is now looking forward to the release, as it starts preparing for their repatriation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bay expressed that the sustained diplomatic coordination with Oman and other partner countries helped secure the crew's release. She mentioned that the process has been arranged, and they are eagerly anticipating the repatriation of the seafarers. Bay highlighted the successful dialogue by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with partner countries to facilitate the release of the seafarers.

In July, the Houthi rebels took hostage the nine Filipino seafarers after attacking MV Eternity C while traversing the Red Sea. On Tuesday, the DFA announced that the nine crew members of the M/V Eternity C will be transferred from Sanaa, Yemen to Muscat, Oman, before being flown home.

Bay, meanwhile, emphasized that the DMW continues to support the families of the crew. She assured that the department will not abandon the crew's families and will provide them with guidance, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to care for and support the seafarers and their families.