Manila
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines has officially confirmed that 17 Filipino seafarers are among the crew members held hostage by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Expressing deep concern, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega emphasized the seriousness of the ongoing hostage crisis involving Filipino nationals and other crew members on the hijacked vessel. We are alarmed. It is not the first time Filipino seafarers were held hostage, de Vega stated during a television interview. DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza revealed that the Philippine government is actively working for the release of the Filipino hostages. We have been making diplomatic representations with governments, she stated in a brief statement, also mentioning that various government agencies are coordinating efforts to ensure the safe return of the seafarers. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, confirmed the hijacking of an Israeli cargo ship in the Red Sea on Sunday. Reports indicate that a total of 25 people were on board, including individuals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, and diplomatic efforts are underway to secure the release of the hostages.
