Philippines Working on Release of Galaxy Leader Crew After Some Hospitalized with Malaria

The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reported ongoing efforts to secure the release of 17 Filipino crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader, a car carrier seized by the Iranian-backed Houthis back in November.

Among these crew members, three sailors who are exhibiting malaria symptoms and are currently hospitalized.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac provided updates during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, stating that the three ailing crew members are receiving medical care in a hospital, while the remaining 14 crew members are still on board the vessel. “As far as we know, they are safe. They are being fed and given their basic necessities on board the ship,” Cacdac assured.

The release of three hospitalized crew members is under negotiation, with the Department of Foreign Affairs engaging with governments that have communication channels with the Houthi rebels and coordinating with the DMW for information and assistance.

Honorary Consul to Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal is also seeking assistance from Sana’a authorities for the release of Filipino crew members on humanitarian grounds due to their deteriorating health. He plans to visit the Galaxy Leader, his first visit in about three months.

The MV Galaxy Leader was hijacked by Houthi near Hodeidah on November 17, 2023 while en route to India. The vessel’s 25-member crew includes 17 Filipino nationals. Since the hijacking, the Houthis have launched more than a hundred drone and missile attacks against ships in the Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, in support of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war. The attacks have resulted in four deaths, two ship sinkings, and numerous damages, and have forced many shipping services to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.

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