MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is making diplomatic representations with concerned governments to ensure the safety of 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels while on board a cargo vessel while sailing on the Red Sea earlier last week.
In a message to media by DFA Spokesperson Asst. Sec. Ma. Teresita Daza, in addition to Usec. Eduardo De Vega’s interview earlier, the Department is confirming that they are now reaching out to the appropriate governments, as well as local government agencies, like the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), who has primary jurisdiction on the incident.
According to Daza, “DFA is working with DMW which has primary jurisdiction over assistance cases involving seafarers.”
Daza stressed that “there is an all of government approach and various government agencies are meeting and working together on this.”
She also gave full assurance to the public that “everything is being done to get our seafarers back safely”.
In an interview with program Unang Hirit on GMA, Usec. De Vega confirmed that 17 Filipino seafarers, together with other nationals, are being held hostage by Houthi rebels from Yemen, and that the government is concerned about the incident because this might be connected to the ongoing Israel and Hamas war.
According to De Vega, reports say that the ship PCTC Galaxy Leader was targeted because it is owned by an Israeli company, while being operated by a Japanese company.
The office of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the hostage-taking “another act of Iranian terrorism” after videos showing armed men believed to be Houthi rebels hijacking a cargo vessel using a helicopter surfaced online.
The Houthi rebels are believed to be supporters of Iran, and are launching attacks using long-range missiles and drones to show support for the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Houthi rebels insists that the cargo ship is Israeli and says that they are treating the ship’s crew in accordance with Islamic principles and values.
