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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA, DMW urged to help the 17 Filipinos taken as hostages in Yemen

DFA, DMW urged to help the 17 Filipinos taken as hostages in Yemen

Published Nov 22, 2023 06:06 am

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday, November 22 urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure the safety and immediate release of the 17 Filipinos who were among the foreigners held hostage in a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea. 

 

Gatchalian said he hopes the government will exhaust all means to help the Filipino hostages and work for their repatriation as soon as possible. 

 

“I am deeply concerned by the recent hostage-taking of 17 Filipino seafarers in Yemen. This situation is alarming, and our primary focus should be the safety and well-being of the affected individuals,” the senator said in a statement.

 

“I urgently call on the DFA, DMW and the entire government to work for the safe release of the hostages as soon as possible, for their repatriation if necessary, and the overall resolution of this distressing situation,” he added.

 

The lawmaker also said he sees the need to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the motives behind this incident and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. 

 

“Our thoughts are with the hostages and their families during this difficult time,” he said.

 

“Dapat siguruhin ng pamahalaan na ligtas ang ating mga kababayan na makauwi sa kanilang pamilya sa lalong madaling panahon (Our government should ensure the safety of our fellowmen and help them come home to their families at the soonest possible time),” he said. 

 

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, in an interview, said the government is paying extra attention to the incident as it is still also linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants. 

 

De Vega said the government is vouching on the hostage-takers’ word that no foreign hostages would be harmed. 

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian Department of Foreign Affairs YEMEN DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS
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