BBM cancels Dubai trip to focus on seafarers’ release

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has canceled his attendance at the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai to focus on obtaining the release of 17 Filipino seafarers seized by the Houthi rebel group in the Red Sea.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday morning, Marcos said he would be convening a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran, which supports the rebel group based in Yemen.

He said he had entrusted the leadership of the COP28 delegation to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who will articulate the country's statement on his behalf.

"In light of important developments in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea, I have made the difficult decision to cancel my attendance at COP28 to personally oversee the efforts to secure the safe release of our seafarers," the President said.

"The safety and well-being of our citizens is my top priority, and I will not rest until they are safely back home," he added.

Houthi rebels captured an Israel-linked cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, and held its crew members captive earlier this month. The vessel, chartered by a Japanese group and flying the Bahamas flag, was seized in response to Israel's conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Department of Migrant Workers earlier this week reassured the families of the 17 seafarers that the agency was making every effort to ensure their safe return to the Philippines.

After Marcos made the announcement, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos appealed to the public to understand the government's decision not to disclose details about the ongoing hostage negotiations.

"Anything involving our seafarers is very important to our President," Abalos said. "But at this point, I hope you understand that I can't discuss what's happening with the sensitive issues here."

The secretary stressed the importance of the seafarers' safety and well-being. "So it's a very sensitive issue as of now," he said.

Also on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the 17 Filipinos were in "good condition and will eventually be released."

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza cited unidentified government sources on the efforts to secure the seafarers' release.