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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Efforts ongoing to free Filipino seafarers held hostage — DFA

Efforts ongoing to free Filipino seafarers held hostage — DFA

Published Nov 30, 2023 04:49 am

​The Philippine government is working on the release of 17 Filipino seafarers who were taken hostage by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), "efforts are ongoing for this to happen as soon as possible" after President Marcos on Thursday made a sudden decision to cancel his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in light of "important developments" regarding the incident.

"Government sources say that the hostages are in good condition, and will eventually be released," Ma. Teresita Daza, DFA spokesperson, said in a statement.

Marcos in a post on X said he would convene a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran.

The meeting is aimed at providing necessary assistance to the seafarers, Marcos added.

Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin said it is a "terrible situation for all the kidnapped seafarers and their families and friends."

"[I] hope the Philippine President's intervention will ensure the speedy release of the entire crew," Melbin added.

On Nov. 22, the DFA said 17 Filipino crew members aboard a British-owned, Japanese-operated cargo ship in the Red Sea were among those taken hostage by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said the incident was related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas as it is feared of spreading to Gaza's neighboring countries, where some rebel groups that are Hamas-sympathizers started taking up arms.

A video released by Houthi military media showed its rebels landing on the ship from a military helicopter before taking over the vessel. The Israeli military said the ship departed Turkey and is bound for India.

NYK Line, the company operating the cargo, said there were 25 people on board. Other crew members were from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico and Romania.

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