MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang said Friday that the Sana’a government in Yemen provided medical assistance to the MV Galaxy Leader’s Filipino crew members suffering from symptoms of malaria.
Citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said that Honorary Consul to Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal, in a memorandum for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., confirmed that several Filipino crew members were having malaria symptoms.
Al-Jamal sought assistance from Sana’a authorities for the release of the Filipino crew members, citing their health condition.
“In response, Sana’a authorities affirmed the provision of assistance by informing concerned officials in the Sana’a government and by sending specialized doctors to the vessel to carry out necessary medical procedures,” the DFA told the President through the memo.
“However, [in regard] to the release of the Filipino crew members, the Sana’a government responded that the case depends on external decisions; hence, negotiations and discussions are plausible for their fate and possible release,” the memo added.
The DFA said the Sana’a government would discuss the issue and the case with the specialists and the Presidency of the Yemeni Republic under the Houthi government.
Sana’a, whose authorities control the Houthis, is the capital and the largest city of Yemen.
The Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs of the DFA, meanwhile, is awaiting Al-Jamal’s report on the follow-up meeting between Ambassador Ahmed Omar and representatives of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry.
On Saturday, Marcos said none of the 17 Filipino seafarers under the custody of Houthis were affected by the recent Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah, Yemen.
“I wish to assure their loved ones in the Philippines that our government has not forsaken them and that we are doing everything to secure their safe return home,” the President said.
“The Philippines once again joins the community of nations in calling for a speedy resolution of the current conflicts in the Middle East region, to the end that no more lives may be lost and all can live in peace,” he added.
The 17 Filipino sailors belong to the 25 crew members of MV Galaxy Leader—including Bulgarians, Mexicans and Ukrainians —who were held captive by Houthi rebels who have been attacking ships cruising the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Houthis’ attacks of ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023, in a campaign in solidarity with Palestinians trapped in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza Strip.
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