22-11-2023 (MANILA) 17 Filipino seafarers find themselves among the hostages taken by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who captured the Israeli-linked cargo ship Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea, as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega revealed that Houthi rebels seized the Galaxy Leader, holding its 25-member international crew captive, including the 17 Filipino seafarers. In an interview with GMA News, de Vega expressed the government’s worry, linking the incident to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claim that the capture is a response to the Israel-Hamas war. The cargo vessel, flagged in the Bahamas and owned by a British company, is operated by a Japanese firm but has connections to Israeli businessman Abraham “Rami” Ungar.
De Vega, speaking in Filipino, conveyed information received, stating, “What reached us is that no harm will be done to the foreign crew members.” He added that the agency would hold a meeting with government entities, including the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Maritime Industry Authority.
NEW: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken over an ‘Israeli-linked’ cargo ship in international waters taking 25 crew members hostage
The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, say they will continue to target Israeli linked ships until the Israel-Gaza conflict is over
One problem:… pic.twitter.com/JCbQ6oS46f
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 20, 2023
The United States, in response to the Houthi rebels’ seizure of the cargo vessel, indicated on Tuesday that it is contemplating designating the rebels as a terrorist organization. The U.S. government also urged the rebels to release the ship and its crew promptly.
