Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month. Marcos conveyed his appreciation during a meeting with India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, who visited the Philippines to bolster bilateral ties and discuss regional concerns.
In a Facebook post, President Marcos expressed profound thanks to the Indian government for promptly rescuing the crew of MV True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier targeted by Houthi rebels on March 6. The attack resulted in a fire onboard and critical injuries to crew members. The Indian Navy vessel INS Kolkata intervened, rescuing 21 Filipino crew members from a life raft using helicopters and boats, while also providing essential medical assistance.
During discussions with EAM Jaishankar, the Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo, also commended the rescue operation and was briefed on India's naval deployments in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to address ongoing threats.
EAM Jaishankar's visit to the Philippines is part of a broader three-nation tour that includes Singapore and Malaysia, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations. In June 2023, India and the Philippines co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in New Delhi, emphasizing their shared interest in maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
President Marcos reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties between the Philippines and India for the mutual benefit of both nations. The prompt and effective response by the Indian Navy underscores the importance of regional cooperation in ensuring maritime security and safeguarding the interests of seafaring nations in critical waterways.
Source : Press Release