17 Pinoys held by Houthi rebels unharmed – DMW

MANILA, Philippines — Though in captivity, the 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Yemen Houthi rebels remain unharmed, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac also gave assurances that the government is already coordinating with different governments for the safe release of the seamen.

“Based on all we know so far, at this stage, they are safe and sound. We hope it stays that way and they can safely go home,” Cacdac said in a radio interview yesterday.

Based on information they have received, he said the captives are somewhere off the coast of Yemen.

Aside from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Cacdac said they are also getting information from the manning agencies.

He noted that the DMW is in constant contact with the families of the 17 Filipino seafarers and extending to them the appropriate assistance.

He said the DMW is closely coordinating with the DFA on the measures being undertaken to ensure the safe return of the Filipinos.

“The DFA is talking to the governments of different countries that can help in the situation,” Cacdac said.

The DFA previously confirmed that 17 Filipino seafarers on board a ship were seized by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

‘Bring them home’

The government is working to bring home safely the Filipinos held hostage by Houthi rebels, President Marcos said yesterday.

In a Facebook post, Marcos gave assurance that the DFA is in coordination with its counterparts in Iran, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for updates. The DMW is in regular communication with the families of the hostages, he added.

“The safety of our 17 Filipino seafarers is of utmost concern,” the President said. “Our seafarers are not alone. The government is doing everything in our power to bring them safely home.”

Deep concern

The House of Representatives yesterday expressed deep concern for the safety and welfare of 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

In separate statements, Speaker Martin Romualdez, House committee on overseas workers affairs chair and Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo, and OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino have condemned “this act of piracy” as they called on the international community to assist in “any way possible to resolve this crisis.”

“This situation demands our immediate and focused attention. The House of Representatives is closely working with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos to ensure the safety and well-being of our fellow Filipinos, which is of the highest importance,” Romualdez said.

For Salo, the “deplorable incident” immediately demands “our immediate attention and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our fellow countrymen.”

For her part, Magsino also condemned the incident, saying it is evidence of what OFWs have to face. “This shows that risk that they have to face and that is what we want to resolve through the passage of Magna Carta for Seafarers,” she added. – Alexis Romero, Sheila Crisostomo