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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos cancels Dubai trip due to hostaged Pinoys in Red Sea

Marcos cancels Dubai trip due to hostaged Pinoys in Red Sea

Published Nov 30, 2023 02:08 am

At A Glance

  • In a social media post, the President said he will send a delegation to Iran to assist the seafarers.

President Marcos has canceled his scheduled trip to Dubai for the World Climate Action Summit (COP28) due to developments involving the 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage in the Red Sea.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

Marcos made the announcement an hour before his scheduled flight to Dubai on Thursday, Nov. 30.

In a social media post, the President said he will send a delegation to Iran to assist the seafarers.

"In light of important developments in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea, I have made the decision not to attend COP28 in Dubai tomorrow," he wrote in his X (formerly Twitter) account.

"Today, I will be convening a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran, with the aim of providing necessary assistance to our seafarers," he added.

According to Marcos, he has entrusted Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga to lead the COP28 delegation and articulate the country's statement on his behalf.

Last week, President Marcos assured the public that the government is doing all it can to ensure the safety of the 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“Our seafarers are not alone. The government is doing everything in our power to bring them safely home,” he said.

"The safety of our 17 Filipino seafarers is of utmost concern. DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is in coordination with its counterparts in Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for updates," he added.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is also in regular communication with the families of the hostages.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Yemeni rebels seized the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader and took hostage its 25 crewmembers in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

The Bahamas-flagged, British-owned Galaxy Leader, with links to Israeli businessman Abraham “Rami” Ungar, is operated by a Japanese firm.

In a statement, the DMW assured the families of the seafarers of the government’s support and assistance.

The United States, which called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew, said it was considering designating Houthi rebels a terrorist organization following the Red Sea incident.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos COP28 Houthi rebels canceled flight President Marcos Hostage-taking
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