Marcos skips COP28, citing hostage situation

President Marcos decided at the last minute to skip the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) here, saying he had to attend to the plight of 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Iranbacked Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

-  HELEN FLORES

It was the first time that Marcos had canceled an official foreign trip since his election as President in June last year.

“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 (Friday),” Marcos said in a post on his ocial account at 8:22 a.m. yesterday, more than an hour before his scheduled departure. He did not provide additional details.

Marcos said he was to meet with his ocials yesterday to discuss the dispatch of a highlevel delegation to Tehran to extend assistance to the Filipino seamen.

“Today, I will be convening a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran, with the aim of providing necessary assistance to our seafarers,” he said.

Only members of his Cabinet, including Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan showed up at the Villamor Air Base for a send-o ceremony at around 9:45 a.m.

Members of the media covering his participation in the COP 8 were already at the airport when the President made the announcement on social media.

Secretary Ma. Antonia YuloLoyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will represent Marcos at the COP 8 and deliver his administration’s statement on climate change.

Loyzaga is the o cial representative of the President to the Climate Change Commission. Marcos chairs the CCC.