MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Friday (07 Mar 2025) that all reported cases of abandoned Filipino seafarers have been successfully rescued and repatriated to the Philippines.

During a press briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized the DMW’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers who have been abandoned.

This aligns with the provisions of the amended Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), adopted by the International Labour Organization’s International Labour Conference (ILC).

Cacdac assured that the DMW remains vigilant in protecting seafarers facing abandonment situations, noting that the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in 2024, strengthens the DMW’s role in handling such cases.

“We have long been proactive in ensuring that Filipino seafarers are protected from abandonment,” said Cacdac.

According to DMW data, a total of 373 cases of abandoned Filipino seafarers were recorded between January and December 2024, across various vessels worldwide.

The most recent case involved the repatriation of three Filipino crew members from the salvaged Team Porter vessel, which sailed under a German flag.

Cacdac clarified that abandonment does not always involve physical abandonment. It can also include situations where a shipowner unilaterally severs ties with a seafarer or fails to amend their contract for at least two months, including non-payment of wages.

From 2018 to 2024, the DMW documented 1,035 abandonment cases, covering a variety of vessels including bulk carriers, yachts, and passenger ships. Notable recent cases include the Panamanian bulk carriers MV Atheras and Buenaventura, which reportedly paid their crews for January 2025, and the passenger ship MV Gemini, whose crew members were all repatriated by February 20, 2025.

Cacdac reiterated that the DMW does not hesitate to penalize manning agencies and shipowners involved in abandonment cases, ensuring seafarers receive their entitled benefits and proper treatment.

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MANILA – After 14 months in captivity, 17 Filipino crew members of the cargo ship Galaxy Leader are finally coming home. The group, released by Houthi rebels, is scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega confirmed that the department facilitated the seafarers’ repatriation, covering their pocket money and travel expenses upon their arrival in Oman.

“The Department is working on their immediate repatriation to Manila so that they could reunite with their long-suffering families as soon as possible,” the DFA said in a statement.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also announced the seafarers’ release earlier in the day, expressing relief that the group, along with eight other foreign nationals, was freed.

The DFA extended its gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for its crucial mediation and support in securing the safe release of the hostages.

“Our successful efforts despite all the challenges prove that quiet diplomacy works. The men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs will remain true to our calling to serve our country and people,” the DFA added.

The seafarers had been held hostage since late 2023 but are now set to reunite with their families.

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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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