Close MidEast ties vital — DFA
All smiles from the 17 Filipino seafarers who were onboard the MV Galaxy Leader after their arrival in Muscat, Oman after being released by Houthi rebels in Yemen. They were part of the 25 crewmember vessel which was hijacked by the rebel group in November 2023. The group was released days after a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel went into effect.
Philippine Embassy Muscat
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) attributed the successful return of the 17 Filipino seafarers released by the rebel group Houthis to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Our President really thanked Oman. This was (the) consequence we were hoping for and got it much faster than expected,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega said in a news forum on Saturday.
“And maybe [it] was 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 East countries have for us because of the work of the millions of Filipinos there,” he added.
The release of the seafarers came as a result of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. De Vega clarified that the release was not part of the deal. However, he said, Oman played a big role in the negotiations.
The MV Galaxy Leader was seized by the Houthis to protest the violence that was taking place between Israel and Hamas, with the rebel group supporting the latter. The vessel was captured on 19 November 2023.