Cites ‘important developments’ in case of seafarers
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and ASHZEL HACHERO
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday cancelled his trip to Dubai where he was set to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), because of “important developments” in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipinos who were taken by Yemen’s Houthi rebels last week.
The President said he is also convening a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, “with the aim of providing necessary assistance to our seafarers.”
“In light of important developments in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea, I have made the decision not to attend COP28 in Dubai tomorrow,” the President said on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Marcos’ announcement was followed by a statement from the Department of Foreign.
“Government sources say that the hostages are in good condition, and will eventually be released. Efforts are ongoing for this to happen as soon as possible,” said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza.
Daza has given the assurance that the government is doing everything to have the seafarers released.
The 17 Filipinos were part of the 25 crewmembers of the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader that the Yemeni rebels took hostage in retaliation to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The Bahamas-flagged cargo vessel was hijacked in a crucial Red Sea shipping route by the Iran-backed Houthis who believed it was an Israeli ship. Houthi leaders have said they would target all ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or carrying the Israeli flag.
Marcos, on the COP28 event, said he designated Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who was already in Dubai to lead the Philippine delegation to COP28.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. read the President’s statement before the media who were waiting at the Villamor Air Base yesterday morning for the departure ceremony.
Abalos, asked about the “developments” on the situation of the Filipino seafarers and their condition, declined to give details, adding the situation is sensitive.
He asked the public for understanding, adding that the decision of the President to cancel the trip emphasizes the importance that the administration is giving the seafarers.
Abalos said the decision of the President to skip the trip was just reached yesterday.
He also skipped the Bonifacio Day commemoration rites and was represented by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The President, at COP28, was supposed to ask nations to honor their commitments, particularly in climate financing.
HIGH-RISK ZONE
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reiterated its plan to push for the expansion of the “high-risk zone” in waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, following a series of hijackings.
“We are in discussion with seafarers and employers groups in the country to expand the International Bargaining Forum (List of Warlike and High-Risk Areas),” said DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a radio interview.
“We saw in the case of Galaxy Leader that it happened beyond the high-risk area, in the northern part of the Red Sea,” he said.
Once the zone is expanded, Filipino seafarers will have additional compensation and benefits if they agree to sail in the high risk zones, Cacdac said.
“Our seafarers will also be adequately informed if they agree to get on board the vessel passing through the high risk area or zone,” he added.
After the Galaxy hijacking is the foiled seizure of the chemical tanker M/V Central Park in the Gulf of Aden, wherein two Filipino seafarers were on board.
