The 17 Filipino seafarers were part of the 25 crew members aboard the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader that the Yemeni rebels seized in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Marcos: 17 Pinoy seafarers safe after Israeli attack on Yemen port
At a glance
President Marcos reported that the 17 Filipino seafarers who are still under the custody of the Houthi rebels are all safe following Israel's attack on the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.
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In an X post on Saturday evening, July 27, the President assured the seafarer's loved ones that the government is doing its best to bring them home.
"I am gratified to inform the nation that none of our 17 seafarers currently in the custody of the Houthis were affected by the recent Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah, Yemen. Our Embassy in Riyadh reports that they are all safe," Marcos wrote.
"I wish to assure their loved ones in the Philippines that our government has not forsaken them and that we are doing everything to secure their safe return home," he added.
The 17 Filipino seafarers were part of the 25 crew members aboard the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader that the Yemeni rebels seized in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Marcos renewed his appeal for the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East.
"The Philippines once again joins the community of nations in calling for a speedy resolution of the current conflicts in the Middle East region, to the end that no more lives may be lost and all can live in peace," he said.
Israeli fighter jets struck the Hodeidah port in Yemen on July 20 in response to Houthi's attack on Tel Aviv the day before.
Israel's military spokesperson said the group had been using the port to receive weapons shipments from Iran.
"The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement.