Yemen Monitor / Sana’a / Exclusive:
The Philippine authorities announced on Tuesday that the release of nine Filipino sailors held by the Houthi group in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, is imminent, following mediation efforts led by the Sultanate of Oman.
The nine sailors are the surviving crew members of the commercial vessel Eternity C, which was attacked and sunk in the Red Sea in July.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had received official assurances via Muscat stating that “the nine Filipino sailors from the ill-fated Eternity C, who have been held hostage by the Houthis, will be released.”
The statement explained that logistical arrangements involve transferring the sailors first from Houthi-controlled Sana’a to Oman, after which their return flights to the Philippines will be secured. The department praised Oman’s pivotal role in facilitating this humanitarian agreement.
A spokesperson for the Philippine foreign ministry did not disclose a specific timeline for the release, nor whether the process is tied to political or financial conditions set by the group, noting only that diplomatic efforts had succeeded.
The incident dates back to July 2025, when the Liberian-flagged Eternity C was attacked by the Houthis and subsequently sank—coinciding with the sinking of another vessel, Magic Seas, during the same period. The attacks marked a breach of a relatively calm phase in the shipping corridor at the time. The Houthis later released footage documenting the attack, claiming they had “rescued” the crew and transported them to a “safe location” inside Yemen.
Filipino sailors make up a crucial segment of the global maritime workforce, accounting for around 30% of international seafarers, and their remittances represent a significant contribution to the Philippine economy.
