Marcos cancels COP28 attendance amid ‘developments’ in hostage situation of 17 Pinoy seafarers

President Marcos cancelled his trip to Dubai today to attend the COP28 summit on climate change, citing important developments on the fate of the 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Huthi rebels.

“In light of important developments in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea, I have made the decision not to attend COP28 in Dubai tomorrow,” President Marcos said on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“Today, I will be convening a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran, to provide necessary assistance to our seafarers,” the President added.

No details were released as to the “important developments” on the hostage situation, but DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, who is part of the country’s delegation to COP 28, said it was quite “sensitive.”

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga will attend the conference and articulate the country’s statement on the President’s behalf, Mr. Marcos said.

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