bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

The Philippines said on Tuesday that it would ask “friendly countries” to help secure the release of nine Filipino sailors being held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The Iran-backed Houthis released video footage on Monday of crew members missing after attacks on the Eternity C and Magic Seas cargo ships, claiming in an accompanying statement to have “rescued” the mariners.
Last week, Human Rights Watch said the rebels were unlawfully detaining the crew and that their attacks on shipping amounted to war crimes. The United States has accused the Houthis of kidnapping.
Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega confirmed the Houthis were holding nine Filipino seafarers.
“I do not want to use the term hostage. At least we know they are alive,” he said.
“We’re not going to talk directly with the Houthis. We’re going to seek help from friendly countries,” he added.

The European Union’s Operation Aspides naval task force said that 15 of the 25 people on board the Eternity C were still missing, – with four presumed dead.
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers, which has overseen efforts to bring the survivors home, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Houthis sank the Magic Seas and Eternity C in separate Red Sea attacks this month, after a temporary hiatus in their campaign against maritime traffic.
The Houthis launched attacks on ships in the trade route soon after the start of the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.
The sinking of the Magic Seas was their first attack since late last year, with the Eternity C facing a similar fate soon after.
In its statement, the Houthis said they rescued 11 crew members, including two injured, and also recovered a body from aboard the ship before it sank.


The video appeared to show the moment the mostly Filipino crew were pulled from the sea wearing life jackets.
A man the Houthis said was an electrician was shown lying in bed and speaking in English. Aspides had said a Russian electrician onboard the ship had lost his leg.
De Vega said one of the nine Filipinos had suffered an unspecified injury, and that one of the non-Filipino personnel was also injured.
Two weeks ago, eight other Filipino crew members who survived the Eternity C attack were flown back to the Philippines. All 17 Filipino seafarers from the Magic Seas have likewise been flown home.
Previously, the rebels held the mostly Filipino crew of the Galaxy Leader merchant ship for more than a year, before releasing them in January.
Filipino sailors make up as much as 30 per cent of the world’s commercial shipping force. The nearly US$7 billion they sent home in 2023 accounted for about a fifth of the remittances to the archipelago nation.


What US anti-scam ‘strike force’ means for Southeast Asia’s cybercrime fight

As Philippines takes Asean helm, Thailand-Cambodia dispute to be ‘significant challenge’

Manila’s Japanese-run eateries in crisis as armed attacks trigger safety fears, curfews

South China Sea: how third PLA Navy aircraft carrier changes dynamics for US

The Philippines

Philippines to ask ‘friendly countries’ for help freeing 9 sailors held by Houthis in Yemen

Plumes of smoke rise from reported explosions on the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas, which was attacked by Houthi-affiliated fighters this month. Photo: Ansarullah Media Centre/AFP

The Liberian-flagged bulker, Eternity C, sinks after being attacked in the Red Sea off the port city of Hodeidah, Yemen, earlier this month. Photo: EPA/Houthis Military Media Centre

Philippines’ Marcos Jnr rails against corruption in State of the Nation Address

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. Photo: Reuters 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says in his State of the Nation Address on Monday that there is no change in Manila’s foreign policy. Photo: Reuters

Protesters gather along a road leading to the Philippine Congress in Quezon City where President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday. Photo: EPA

Rescuers save 4 more survivors from Houthi-struck ship in Red Sea, 10 still missing

A vessel said to be the Greek-operated, Liberia-flagged Eternity C sinks in footage released by Yemen’s Houthis on Wednesday. Photo: Houthi Media Centre via Reuters

Footage shows what appears to be the Magic Seas vessel sinking after a Houthi attack. Photo: Houthi Media Centre via Reuters

Ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthis sinks in Red Sea, 10 of 25 mostly Filipino crew rescued

The Liberian-flagged bulker, Eternity C, sinking after being attacked in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. Photo:  Houthis’ media centre via EPA 

Eternity C sinking in the Red Sea. Photo: Houthis’ media centre via EPA 

Eternity C’s bridge appeared heavily damaged. Photo: Houthis’ media centre via EPA 

Explosions on the Magic Seas, another ship attacked this week. Photo: Houthis’ media centre via AFP

Will more US missiles in Philippines deter or provoke South China Sea conflict?

A US Marine Air Defence Integrated System fires at a drone during a joint Philippines-US military exercise in San Antonio, Zambales province, northern Philippines, on April 27. Photo: AP

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) welcomes Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to the Pentagon on Monday. Photo: Reuters

US Army soldiers conduct an inaugural Tomahawk Land Attack Missile launch from the Typhon launcher at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, in 2023: Photo: US Army/RCCTO

An aerial view of Lal-lo runway, in Cagayan province, northern Philippines, in 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

The Iran-backed Houthis released footage on Monday of crew members missing after Red Sea attacks on the Eternity C and Magic Seas cargo ships


The Iran-backed Houthis released footage on Monday of crew members missing after Red Sea attacks on the Eternity C and Magic Seas cargo ships.
