Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has emphasized the government’s efforts in ensuring the safe return of 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by the Yemeni rebel group Houthi. This hostage situation led to President Marcos cancelling his trip to the COP28 conference in the UAE. A dedicated delegation has been formed to coordinate with the captors for the hostages’ release.
President Marcos has expressed his commitment to ensuring their safety and fast return. This crisis has also affected international maritime security, with the Houthis being accused of seizing a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, an action labeled as an “Iranian act of terrorism” by Israel. Meanwhile, President Marcos has reiterated the Philippines’ role in global climate action, emphasizing the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and its commitment to climate change mitigation