Filipino seafarers held in Yemen port safe after Israeli attack – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines —  All Filipino seafarers currently held by the Houthis are safe and unharmed following a recent attack by Israeli forces on Hodeidah port in Yemen, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr said on Saturday.

“I am gratified to inform the nation that none of our 17 seafarers currently in the custody of the Houthis were affected by the recent Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah, Yemen. Our Embassy in Riyadh reports that they are all safe,” Marcos posted in X, formerly Twitter. 

Israeli warplanes attacked Hodeida port in Yemen last Saturday, triggering a fire and resulting in the death of three persons. Eighty seven others were wounded. 

The incident occured after the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, launched a drone attack in Tel Aviv, Israel. 

Hodeida port is an entry port for international aid for rebel-held areas in Yemen and has remained untouchable by the decade-long war of Huthis and the internationally recognized government.

Millions of Yemenis have become dependent on aid coming through the port.

 Marcos Jr. assured the families of the seafarers that “our government has not forsaken them and that we are doing everything to secure their safe return home.”

On May, 13 Filipino crew members were reported to be safe after their vessel crossing the Yemeni coast near Hodeidah was attacked by Houthis with missiles.

“The Philippines once again joins the community of nations in calling for a speedy resolution of the current conflicts in the Middle East region, to the end that no more lives may be lost and all can live in peace,” Marcos said.