File photo/ABC
MANILA, Philippines — The 17 Filipino seafarers who have been held captive by Yemen-based Houthi rebels since November last year are “safe and sound.”
Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Tuesday that efforts to secure the release of the Filipinos who remain onboard their ship, MV Galaxy Leader, in the Red Sea were ongoing.
READ: 23 Filipino sailors safe after Houthi attack
READ: Houthi rebels say they attacked ship off Yemen
“We know that there is already coordination. There is already communication with the governments that have lines of communication with the Houthis who are holding the 17 seafarers,” Cacdac said.
“We know they are safe and sound. At this stage, they are still on board the ship. However, we are still coordinating with the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) on their safe and eventual release,” he added.
The Houthis started attacking transport ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden last year, two of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, in solidarity with Palestine after Israel retaliated against Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which killed more than 1,000 Israelis. —Jacob Lazaro