The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the 17 Filipino seafarers who were taken hostage by Yemen’s Houthi rebels are safe and may soon be freed. The hostages are part of a group of 25 crew members taken by the rebels on November 19. The Houthi rebels, allegedly backed by Iran, have assured the crew members that they will not be harmed. The DFA is hopeful that diplomacy will work in securing the release of the Filipino hostages.
The DFA is reaching out to governments to hopefully talk to the rebels and secure the release of the hostages. Two Filipinos remain missing after a surprise attack by Hamas against Israel in October. The DFA is working with Israeli authorities to ensure that if a deal is made for the release of hostages, Filipinos will be among those released first. The truce between Israel and Hamas, in exchange for the release of at least 50 women and children hostages, could result in the release of more hostages if it continues beyond four days.
The DFA is actively working to ensure the safety and release of the Filipino hostages, and is hopeful that diplomacy will lead to a positive outcome for the seafarers. They are also working to locate and secure the release of the two missing Filipinos who were affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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