The Sana’a government in Yemen has provided necessary medical assistance to Filipino crew members of MV Galaxy Leader who are exhibiting symptoms of malaria, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in its update to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to a DFA memorandum for the President dated July 30, Honorary Consul to Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal confirmed that several Filipino crew members were experiencing significant health issues as they showed malaria symptoms.
Al-Jamal sought assistance from Sana’a authorities for the release of the Filipino crew members, citing humanitarian reasons because of their declining 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.
Sana’a, whose authorities control the Houthis, is the capital and the largest city of Yemen.
“However, with 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 Sana’a government will discuss the issue and the case with the specialists and the Presidency of the Yemeni Republic under the Houthi government.”
The Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs of the DFA is awaiting Al-Jamal’s report on the follow-up meeting between Ambassador Ahmed Omar and representatives of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry in Sana’a.
Last Saturday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed relief as he announced that none of the 17 Filipino seafarers under the custody of the Houthis were affected by the recent Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah, Yemen.
In his social media post, the President reassured families of the seafarers in the Philippines that the government has been doing all means for their safe return to the country.
In November last year, Houthi rebels hijacked the Bahamas-flagged MV Galaxy Leader, a car carrier owned by Israeli shipowner Ray Shipping, as it transited the Red Sea. PND