Metro Manila, Philippines — The 17 Filipino seafarers who are in the custody of Houthi rebels are safe following the recent Israeli air strike in a port in Yemen.
“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,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, July 27.
“Our Embassy in Riyadh reports that they are all safe,” Marcos added.
On July 20, the Israeli military said it conducted strikes against Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah in response to Houthi group’s attacks on Tel Aviv. The Israeli strike killed at least three and wounded 87 people, according to international media.
Marcos 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.”
“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,” the president said.
The Houthis seized the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea and took hostage its 25 crewmembers, including 17 Filipinos, in November last year.
The rebel group reportedly hijacked the vessel in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
