Bongbong's ties with Mideast leaders aided Pinoy seafarers' release — DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) credited the successful return of 17 Filipino seafarers, who were released by the rebel group Houthis, to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

“Our President really thanked Oman… This was [the] consequence which we were hoping for and got it much faster than [we] expected it,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo De Vega said during a news forum on Saturday.

“And maybe [it] is because we [have a] special friendship. Our President has been talking to leaders in the region and definitely because of the high regard the Middle Eastern countries have for us because of the work of our millions of Filipinos there, so salamat din sa kanila," he added.

The seafarers’ release was linked to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, though De Vega clarified that it was not directly part of the agreement. He noted that Oman played a significant role in the negotiations.

The MV Galaxy Leader was seized on 19 November 2023, as part of the Houthis' protest against the Israel-Hamas conflict, which the rebel group supports.

“We had the political consultation, a regular schedule, with Oman here in Manila last Monday. The Vice Foreign Minister, Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, was here and told us something may happen in the next few days. But he did not guarantee it; he told us to just be ready,” De Vega said.

By Wednesday, De Vega received word that the Omani Air Force had transported the Filipino seafarers from Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, to Muscat, Oman, where the Philippine Embassy facilitated their return home.

On Thursday, the Philippine government welcomed the seafarers after over a year in captivity under the Houthis.

Safe during captivity

De Vega shared that all the crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader remained safe during their custody by the Houthis.

“According to them, the first 24 to 48 hours were scary because you imagine a helicopter suddenly entering your ship with people armed with AK-47s pointing at them and handcuffing them, [it was] long and painful. After that, they were treated well. If you mean mistreatment, no. They weren’t locked up or anything; they were just there on the ship and were fed well,” he said.

Since their arrival, the seafarers have been staying in a hotel with their families as the government monitors their health and well-being.

“Right now, they are being accommodated at the hotel by the government for the next few days. They’re with their families so their health can be monitored to ensure they do not have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After that, maybe by Tuesday, they’ll be brought to their provinces since most of them are not from Metro Manila,” De Vega said.