On Thursday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a news release that authorities from Sana’a requested the release of the captured Filipino crew members in Yemen, as they were showing symptoms of malaria.
Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Honorary Consul to Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal confirmed that several members were experiencing significant health issues. Al-Jamal sought assistance from the Sana’a authorities, citing ‘humanitarian reasons’ due to their declining health condition.
As a response, the Sana’a government sent specialized doctors to the vessel to carry out the necessary medical procedures. However, concerning the release of the Filipino crew, negotiations and discussions between governments are plausible for the former’s fate and possible release—adding that the case depends on external decisions.
“The Sana’a government will discuss the issue and the case with the specialists and the Presidency of the Yemeni Republic under the Houthi government,” Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal wrote.
The Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs of DFA is still awaiting Al-Jamal’s follow-up report on the meeting between Ambassador Ahmed Omar and representatives of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry in Sana’a.
Last Saturday, July 27, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his relief in a social media post on that none of the 17 Filipino seafarers were affected by the recent Israeli attack at Hodeidah, Yemen. He reassured the captured Filipinos’ families that the authorities are doing all means for the crew’s safe return to the country.
On November 2023, the Houthi rebels hijacked the Bahamas-flagged MV Galaxy Leader car carrier while transiting in the Red Sea. Several Filipino crew members were on board and had been held hostage by the rebels since.
