Seventeen (17) Filipino seafarers and two other crew members on board a bulk carrier are now safe from harm after escaping an armed attack by alleged Houthi rebels on their ship while they were sailing in the Red Sea near Hodeidah, Yemen on July 6, 2025.

In his report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac assured that the Filipino seafarers are all accounted for and are now safely accommodated at a hotel in Djibouti in East Africa, including the ships’ Romanian master and Vietnamese chief engineer.

“The Department remains in close coordination with relevant government agencies and with the LMA to facilitate the safe and swift repatriation of the affected Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Cacdac said.

The Secretary also made sure that immediate assistance from the Philippine government will be provided to the seafarers and even their families. 

Based on official report from Crewcare, Inc., the Licensed Manning Agency (LMA) of the Liberian flag vessel MV Magic Seas, the ship was sailing roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, when it came under assault from small boats with men armed with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade.

The ship’s security team, composed of four armed personnel, was able to repel the attack by returning fire.  This led to the escape of the ship’s crew, who were later rescued by the passing container ship Safeen Prism.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the President informed of any significant developments as they arise,” Secretary Cacdac added.