THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said 17 Filipino seafarers were among 25 crewmembers of an Israeli-linked cargo vessel hijacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels Sunday at a crucial Red Sea shipping route.
“There were 17 Filipinos among the crewmen,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said in a message.
He did not provide additional details, except to say that the DFA, through its embassies in the region, is working with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to secure the release of the Filipino crewmen of the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader.
The DMW said it is coordinating with officials of the shipping and manning agency.
“We are deeply concerned about this unfortunate incident and has communicated with and assured all the families of the seafarers of our fullest support and assistance,” the DMW also said in a statement.
DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza also said the DFA is coordinating with other agencies to secure the release of the 17.
“We assure the public that everything is being done to get our seafarers back safely,” Daza said.
Earlier reports said at least 25 crew members of the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader came from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Ukraine, Romania and Mexico.
The Israeli government said the Iran-backed Houthis seized the vessel believing it was an Israeli ship. It said no Israelis were on board the vessel at the time of the hijacking.
De Vega said although it was not the first time that Filipino seafarers were held hostage overseas, the DFA is paying close attention to the incident considering the tension in the region brought by the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Houthis on Sunday said they will target all ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or carrying the Israeli flag.
De Vega said the seizure is connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He also said President Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to do everything to ensure the safety of the Filipino seafarers and to work for their release.
Israel said on Sunday the Houthis seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, and described the incident as an “Iranian act of terrorism” with consequences for international maritime security.
The Houthis, an ally of Tehran, have been launching long-range missile and drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian Hamas militants fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Japan’s top government spokesperson on Monday confirmed the capture of the Nippon Yusen-operated ship, Galaxy Leader, adding that Japan was appealing to the Houthis while seeking the help of Saudi, Omani and Iranian authorities to work toward the swift release of the vessel and its crew.
Galaxy Leader is owned by a company registered under Isle of Man-headquartered Ray Car Carriers, which is a unit of Tel Aviv-incorporated Ray Shipping, according to LSEG data.
The vessel, a car carrier, had been heading toward India from Europe with no cargo, a spokesperson said.
Two other ships also listed as commercially managed by Ray Car Carriers, Glovis Star and Hermes Leader, diverted their sailing routes on Sunday. — With Gerard Naval and Reuters
