The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the 17 Filipino seafarers who were taken hostage by Houthi rebels are being “treated well and are in good health.”
DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said an official from Yemen who met with the 17 seafarers aboard the MV Galaxy on Jan. 2 gave accounts on the condition of the hostages.
“Generally what has been told is that actually, the 17 Filipino seafarers abroad are actually treated well and in good health,” Daza said in a virtual press conference.
“So, bottom line is, this is actually being closely monitored and that we are actually seeing how we can actually extend whatever assistance that’s necessary for the 17 as we continue to work for their early release,” she added.
The DFA official did not disclose the demands of the Houthi rebels for releasing the Filipino seafarers who were captured about 45 days ago.
“What we have been told is they want to actually complete negotiations on this as soon as possible, but in terms of the specific timeline, no timeline as yet as it’s just really [a starting],” she stressed.
Rey E. Requejo
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in a hijacked ship in November, allegedly to show support for Palestinians who are being killed in the Hamas’ war with Israel.
The rebels had warned that they would target ships related to Israel, and other vessels that would support the Jewish forces in the Red Sea.
In November, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. abruptly cancelled his trip to the United Arab Emirates to attend the United National Climate Change Summit after a purported development in the situation of the 17 seafarers held captive in the Red Sea.