The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Wednesday that nine Filipino seafarers from the sunken MV Eternity C were “safe” despite being held by Iran-backed Houthis.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said they were coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the families of the Pinoy seafarers.

Cacdac said the seafarers were held hostage by the rebels after they jumped ship on July 8.

No information is available on whether the Houthis have demands or conditions for their release, according to the DMW chief.

Earlier this month, the rebels sank the Magic Seas and Eternity C cargo ships in the Red Sea, after a months-long hiatus in a campaign against maritime traffic they accuse of having links to Israel, launched over the Gaza war.

The European Union’s Operation Aspides naval task force told AFP that 15 out of the 25 people on the ship were still missing — with four of them presumed dead.

In the video, the Houthis showed 10 crew members they said they had been “rescued” – mostly Filipinos.