MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the safe release of 17 Filipino seafarers who were held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen for over 429 days.
The seafarers, part of the 25-man crew of the M/V Galaxy Leader, were taken captive on November 23, 2023, while navigating the Red Sea near Hodeidah. They are now under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman, and will soon be reunited with their families in the Philippines.
In a statement released early Thursday, January 23, Marcos expressed his gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and his government for their successful mediation. “Allow me to express my gratitude to His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik and his government for their role in securing the release and safe passage of our countrymen through Oman,” the President said.
The Philippine government, through its various agencies, worked tirelessly with foreign governments and private entities to ensure the safe repatriation of the Filipino crew.
“This incident underscores the importance of enacting Republic Act 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which I signed into law to protect the rights and welfare of Filipino maritime workers,” Marcos said. The law aims to promote equal opportunities and ensure equitable access to education, training, and employment in the maritime industry.
The President commended the collaboration between Philippine government agencies and international partners, which he credited for this “momentous development.”
The successful resolution highlights the Philippine government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its overseas workers, particularly those in high-risk industries.
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