The 17 overseas Filipino workers held captive by the Yemeni rebel group, Houthi, were able to communicate with their families.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs assured the OFWs' families on Thursday that their loved ones are currently safe and that negotiations are underway for the safe release and repatriation of the seafarers.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega stated that while the release of the OFWs was certain, there was no assurance as to when this would occur.
"We can promise that they're okay because they've been able to contact their families. The Houthis are adamant right now that it is not about money. They just want the Israeli operations against Gaza to end," De Vega said.
"We are concerned. This is not the first time hostages were taken like this. This is in connection with the war between Hamas and Israel because they targeted a ship that was said to be Israeli-owned although the company that owns it is Japanese," De Vega said.
The Filipino seafarers are part of the 25 crew members taken hostage by the Yemen rebel Houthi on 19 November. The group, allegedly backed by Iran, has said it will attack all ships belonging to Israel. Israel has denied any connection to the vessel.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed on 30 November to exhaust all remedies to ensure the safe return of the captured seafarers.