MANILA — In response to the hijacking of the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea on November 19, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public late Wednesday that the government is diligently working to guarantee the safety of the 17 Filipino hostages among the 25 crew members taken captive.
President Marcos expressed his deep concern, stating, “The safety of our 17 Filipino seafarers is of utmost priority. Our seafarers are not alone, and the government is exerting every effort to bring them safely home.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is actively coordinating with authorities in Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to gather updates on the situation. Additionally, the Department of Migrant Workers is maintaining regular communication with the families of the hostages.
Confirming the involvement of the 17 Filipino seafarers, the DFA disclosed that the hijacking was carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebel group. The rebels seized the Galaxy Leader, justifying their actions by claiming that vessels associated with or dealing with Israel would be considered legitimate targets.
The hostages also include individuals from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are underway to ensure the safe release of all hostages.
The hijacking occurred amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, now entering its sixth week.
The tensions escalated after a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group on southern Israel on October 7, prompting retaliatory strikes and a ground assault in Gaza by Israel, as reported by the international wire agency, the Associated Press.
(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)
