17 Pinoy seafarers freed from Houthis’ clutches

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday announced the safe release of 17 Filipino seafarers held captive in Yemen for more than a year by Houthi rebels.

“It is with utmost joy that, after more than a year of captivity in Yemen, I announce the safe release of all 17 Filipino seafarers, together with the rest of the crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader,” Marcos said.

The President expressed gratitude to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and his government for mediating the release of the Filipino crew.

“Our Filipino seafarers are now in the care of our Philippine embassy in Muscat, Oman, and will be reunited with their loved ones in the Philippines very soon,” he said.

The DFA highlighted the critical role Oman played in the mediation effort and said it was working on the immediate repatriation of the seafarers.

“This could not have been possible had it not been for the support and mediation efforts of the Sultanate of Oman, for which we are eternally grateful,” the DFA said.

“The department is working on their immediate repatriation to Manila so they could be reunited with their long-suffering families as soon as possible,” it added.

Hamas–Israel deal helped

The seafarers were among 25 crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader that were taken hostage by Houthi rebels in November 2023. The cargo ship was hijacked while en route to India and it was brought to Yemen’s Port of Hodeidah.

The release of the crew followed the Hamas-Israel ceasefire brokered by international mediators, including the United States. Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for hijacking the ship in retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed that the Filipino seafarers were scheduled to arrive in Manila last night. Upon arrival, they will undergo a debriefing and medical checkups.

“At some point, they were taken inland,” Cacdac said in a televised interview. “They were taken to a certain area where they stayed for the last four or five months.”

About the seafarer who was taken ill, he said, “Based on what we know, the case of malaria recovered at the midway point.”

DMW Director Jasmine Gapatan announced a P75,000 financial assistance package for each seafarer, along with medical, welfare, psychosocial, and job placement aid.

The DFA also acknowledged contributions from international organizations like the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the release involved extensive coordination with global entities.

“Many international bodies did their part,” De Vega said. “The Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal brokered by the US and other countries was also crucial.”

The Philippine government reassured the maritime community of its commitment to protect Filipino seafarers’ rights under the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, emphasizing employment opportunities and welfare safeguards.