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Advocates Philippines
Filipino Seafarers Safe After Armed Attack In Red Sea; Government Assures Swift Repatriation
Photo credit: DMW
Seventeen Filipino seafarers, along with two other crew members, are now safe following a harrowing armed attack by suspected Houthi rebels on their vessel, the MV Magic Seas, while it was navigating the Red Sea near Hodeidah, Yemen on July 6, 2025.
In a report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac confirmed that all Filipino crew members have been accounted for and are currently staying at a hotel in Djibouti, East Africa. They are accompanied by the ship’s Romanian captain and Vietnamese chief engineer, both of whom also escaped the attack unharmed.
“The Department remains in close coordination with relevant government agencies and with the Licensed Manning Agency (LMA) to ensure the safe and swift repatriation of the affected Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Cacdac said.
The Philippine government has pledged immediate assistance to the seafarers and their families, recognizing the trauma and uncertainty caused by the incident.
According to a report from Crewcare, Inc., the LMA of the Liberian-flagged MV Magic Seas, the vessel was about 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah when it was approached by several small boats carrying armed men equipped with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.
Fortunately, the ship’s onboard security detail—consisting of four armed personnel—responded quickly, returning fire and managing to repel the attackers. Following the incident, the crew was safely evacuated and later rescued by a passing container ship, the Safeen Prism.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the President informed of any significant developments,” Cacdac added.
The Department of Migrant Workers reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipino seafarers, especially those working in high-risk areas across the globe.
In a report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac confirmed that all Filipino crew members have been accounted for and are currently staying at a hotel in Djibouti, East Africa. They are accompanied by the ship’s Romanian captain and Vietnamese chief engineer, both of whom also escaped the attack unharmed.
“The Department remains in close coordination with relevant government agencies and with the Licensed Manning Agency (LMA) to ensure the safe and swift repatriation of the affected Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Cacdac said.
The Philippine government has pledged immediate assistance to the seafarers and their families, recognizing the trauma and uncertainty caused by the incident.
According to a report from Crewcare, Inc., the LMA of the Liberian-flagged MV Magic Seas, the vessel was about 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah when it was approached by several small boats carrying armed men equipped with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.
Fortunately, the ship’s onboard security detail—consisting of four armed personnel—responded quickly, returning fire and managing to repel the attackers. Following the incident, the crew was safely evacuated and later rescued by a passing container ship, the Safeen Prism.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the President informed of any significant developments,” Cacdac added.
The Department of Migrant Workers reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipino seafarers, especially those working in high-risk areas across the globe.
Jul 8, 2025
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