The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman have been helping the Philippines negotiate for the safe release of the Filipino seafarers being held hostage by Houthi forces in Yemen.

Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a recent interview with ABS-CBN News that the DFA is making use of diplomatic channels and the assistance of its honorary consul, who is based near Sanaa, Yemen.

“We'd like to thank all countries, but, of course, special mention countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman, Bahrain,” he said.

The official revealed that although the Philippines’ honorary consul is “not officially accredited to the Sanaa government,” he lives close to Sanaa, the capital of the Houthis.

“But he (honorary consul) has his contacts. It makes it easier for him to be able to arrange a meeting with them and we will update you about it to make sure that they're alright,” De Vega assured.

Underscoring the importance of international cooperation, the DFA official noted that discussions are ongoing with various “friendly countries,” similar to the efforts undertaken in previous hostage situations involving Filipino crew members.

“And then, of course, about the talks, alam naman ng Houthis (the Houthis know) not just us, the Houthis community wants any seafarer to be released,” he said.

The official also noted that President Marcos himself thanked countries in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month for their help in the release of some 17 Filipino seafarers held by Houthis for more than a year.

The President highlighted the dangers faced by Filipino seafarers abroad and underscored the importance of international collaboration in protecting overseas Filipinos.

“Hindi po biro at sadyang mapanganib ang hanapbuhay ng ating tripulante. Ang trahedya na sinapit nila sa kamay ng mga rebeldeng Houthi ay isang halimbawa (The dangers faced by our seafarers are no joke. The tragedy they experience from the Houthi rebels is an example),” he said in his SONA.

“Matapos ang mahigit apat na raang araw, ang mga kababayan natin na binihag ng rebeldeng Houthi ay pinalaya na rin, dala ng ating pakikipagtulungan sa Sultanate of Oman (After more than 400 days, our countrymen who were held hostage by Houthi rebels were freed, because of the coordination with the Sultanate of Oman),” Marcos added.

Last week, the DFA confirmed that nine Filipino seafarers from the sunken Liberia-flagged vessel MV Eternity C are being held by the Houthi rebels.