Marcos skips COP28, Citing hostage situation

DUBAI – 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 Iran-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

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 official X 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 officials yesterday to discuss the dispatch of a high-level 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-off ceremony at around 9:45 a.m.

Members of the media covering his participation in the COP28 were already at the airport when the President made the announcement on social media.

Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will represent Marcos at the COP28 and deliver his administration’s statement on climate change.

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

“I have entrusted DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga to lead the COP28 delegation and articulate the country’s statement on my behalf,” the Chief Executive said. COP28 runs until Dec. 12.

In a statement, Loyzaga said the Philippines will strongly press for the implementation of a compensation fund for developing countries that