MANILA, Philippines- Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan ang Pilipinas sa foreign governments para masiguro na protektado ang mga Filipino seafarer lalo na sa Red Sea.
Sa press briefing sa Malakanyang, sinabi ni DFA Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega na kinikilala nito ang naging pahayag ng United Nation Security Council na kinokondena ang ginawang pag-atake sa merchant vessels sa Gulf of Aden.
“So we have allies, we have friends with us and countries in the region are also assisting in the operations that they are conducting in response to this Houthi attacks,” ayon kay de Vega.
“We have been in touch with the United Kingdom and USA to ensure that no harm comes to seafarers,” dagdag na wika nito.
Sa 17 Filipino na sakay ng vessel Galaxy Leader, biktima rin ng pag-hijack ng mga Houthi rebels sa nakalipas, sinabi ni De Vega na nagpapatuloy ang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na madaliin ang pagpapalaya sa mga ito.
“The 17 are still being held in Al Hudaydah in Yemen and the Philippines is “working with friendly governments to see if they could be released,” pahayag ni De Vega.
“The Houthis are consistent in their statement that it would need an end to the war in Gaza before they will release the ship or seafarers,” aniya pa rin sabay sabing, “But, at the very least, we know that the seafarers are safe. Of course, they’re not in the best of conditions, but they are safe and able to contact their families.”
Samantala, winika ni De Vega na inaasahan ng DFA na pag-uusapan sa working visit ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa Germany ang posibleng maritime cooperation para paigtingin ang proteksyon para sa seafarers sa itinuturing na ‘volatile region.’ Kris Jose
