Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said all 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been able to contact their families.
“The 17 seafarers have been allowed to contact their families and have said they are safe onboard the ship,” DMW Undersecretary Hans Cacdac told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
The Filipinos were among the 25 crew members seized by the rebels on Nov. 19.
Cacdac said the ship is still off the coast of Yemen based on the latest information they received.
\”Certain foreign governments have been engaged to negotiate or to work on the safe release and return of the 17 seafarers,\” he added.
Cacdac said the Department of Foreign Affairs is leading the efforts to secure the seafarers’ release, while the DMW is providing support for the affected families. Another meeting with them has been scheduled Wednesday afternoon.
The International Bargaining Forum recently designated the Red Sea’s southern section and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait leading into the Gulf of Aden as high-risk areas.
