DFA confirms 17 Filipinos held hostage by Houthi in Red Sea

A total of 17 Filipinos were among those held hostage by Houthi rebels following the hijacking of their cargo vessel in the Red Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Wednesday.

"There were 17 Filipinos according to the manning agency along with other foreign nationals," DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Eduardo de Vega said in a television interview.

De Vega said this was not the first time that the Filipinos were held hostage by rebels but noted it was "concerning" due to its connection to the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic extremist group Hamas.

"They targeted this ship because they said it was owned by an Israel although it is owned by a Japanese company," he pointed out.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels hijacked the Japanese-operated cargo ship in the Red Sea while on its to India on Sunday.

Iran is condemning Israel's retaliation, including its ground invasion in the war-torn Gaza Strip, which left more than 13,000 civilians in the conclave since the 7 October surprise attack of Hamas.

Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 Israelis, including four Filipinos during the 7 October surprise attack in Israel.

On Tuesday, Israel and Hamas agreed on a Qatar-mediated deal for a four-day truce in the besieged Palestinian territory.

The deal includes the release of 50 captives held in the enclave, as well as the release of around 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.

De Vega said the Philippine government is counting on Houthi rebels' promise that they would not hurt any of their hostages.

A meeting at the Malacañang would take place to discuss possible actions the government may take regarding the situation of Filipino hostages.

Meanwhile, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the Philippines, through the DFA, is coordinating with its counterparts for the captured Filipinos.

"We have been making diplomatic representations with governments," Daza told reporters in a WhatsApp message.

She noted that the DFA is also working with the Department of Migrant Workers which she said has primary jurisdiction over assistance cases involving seafarers.

"But there is an all-of-government approach and various government agencies are meeting and working together on this," she stressed.

"We assure the public that everything is being done to get our seafarers back safely," she added.