Release of 3 Pinoy sailors in Houthi custody sought

A picture shows a view of the Israel-linked cargo vessel Galaxy Leader seized by Houthi fighters, at anchor off the coast of Yemen’s Hodeida on May 12, 2024. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have carried out dozens of missile and drone attacks against shipping in the Red Sea, and in November 2023 seized an Israel-linked cargo vessel, the Galaxy Leader, saying their campaign is in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war. —Photo by Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino seafarers who remain in the custody of Houthi rebels in Yemen have recovered from malaria with the Department of Foreign Affairs saying it was seeking their release under humanitarian grounds.

READ: Appeal to free 3 sick Filipino seafarers in Yemen ‘in the works’

“So, we are making our appeal to them through our honorary consul, [Mohammad Saleh] Al-Jamal.

He is based in Sana’a, the capital of the rebel part of Yemen, which is not recognized by the Philippine government,”

Foreign Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said in a radio interview on Tuesday. The three were among the 17 Filipino crew members of MV Galaxy Leader that was hijacked by the rebels in November 2023 in the Red Sea. —Jacob Lazaro