The 17 Filipino seafarers held captive in Yemen for more than a year have been safely released and on their way home, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced yesterday.
“It is with utmost joy that I announce the safe release of all 17 Filipino seafarers,” President Marcos said in a statement.
“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 added.
The seafarers were part of the crew of the M/V Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier linked to an Israeli shipping firm that was captured by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in November 2023.
The Houthis claimed the seizure due to its Israeli connection amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The crew, which included Filipinos, Bulgarians, Romanians, Ukrainians, and Mexicans endured more than a year of captivity before Oman’s mediation led to their release.
Moreover, the president expressed his gratitude to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and the Omani government for their critical role in mediating the release and ensuring the safe passage of the seafarers.
President Marcos also commended the collaborative efforts of Philippine government agencies, private groups, and foreign entities that worked tirelessly for 429 days to secure the crew’s freedom.
The chief executive highlighted the incident as a poignant reminder of the importance of safeguarding the welfare of Filipino seafarers, citing the recently signed Republic Act No.
12021, also known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
“This law protects their rights and welfare, promotes their full employment, and ensures equal opportunities in the maritime industry, including access to education, training, and development consistent with international standards,” the President said.
Weeks after the war in the Gaza Strip broke out on October 7, 2023, the Iran-backed Huthis began launching attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in what they said was support for the Palestinians.
At the start of their campaign, helicopter-borne rebels stormed the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader and detained its 25 international crew.
On Wednesday, the Huthi supreme council “announced the freeing of the crew of the Galaxy Leader, who were arrested on November 19, 2023 during the campaign in solidarity with Gaza,” the rebels’ Saba news agency said.
It added that the release came “in support of the ceasefire” in the Palestinian territory, which began on Sunday.
Saba said the crew were freed with the help of the Gulf sultanate of Oman. With AFP
