MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is working on “quiet diplomacy” to ensure the safe release of 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) told INQUIRER.net.
In a text message on Thursday evening, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Filipino hostages are “allowed to contact their families.”
“They are being allowed to contact their families to assure them that they are safe. We are working on quiet diplomacy to get them released,” said de Vega.
Asked when these Filipino seafarers are set to be freed, the DFA official answered, “No news yet on [the] date but we remain hopeful.”
DFA earlier hinted at the “hopeful release” of these Filipino seafarers.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., on the other hand, skipped the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) on November 30, saying that there have been “important developments” in the hostage situation involving the Filipino seafarers.
DFA on November 22 confirmed that 17 Filipinos aboard the Galaxy Leader cargo ship were among those held hostage by the Houthi armed group.
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