Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Tuesday, July 15, that eight out of the 21 confirmed Filipino seafarers from the sunken M/V Eternity C has safely arrived at the port of Jizan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
All eight of them are now in the custody of the Philippine Consulate General of Jeddah, Migrant Workers Office–Jeddah, and their manning agency.
They will be brought to a hospital as soon as possible and their physical and mental well-being will immediately be checked as part of protocol.
“These brave seafarers have endured a traumatic ordeal at sea. We are working round-the-clock with their manning agency and the shipping company to ensure they receive the care and support they need. As directed by the President, their safety and recovery are our top priorities,” Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said.
Both the DFA and DMW assures that their repatriation will be swiftly managed and they should be able to come back home in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the DFA thanks the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their considerations regarding the seafarers’ visas.
Additionally, DMW and DFA are extending their efforts to account for the 13 other Filipino crew members of the ship and has since personally reached out to their families to give them support.
The government will be providing the seafarers with the appropriate financial, medical, social, and livelihood support for their reintegration to the community. –Isa Estrellado, Contributor