President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on early Thursday that 17 Filipino seafarers are now free after being captured by Houthi rebels in November 2023.
“It is with utmost joy that, after more than a year of captivity in Yemen, I announce the safe release of all 17 Filipino seafarers, together with the rest of the crewmembers of M/V Galaxy Leader,” Marcos said.
“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.
Earlier media reports stated that Houthi rebels captured the vessel in November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians, who they claim are “being massacred by Israel.” The rebels announced that they would target any ships linked to Israel and warned that no vessels from other countries should engage with Israel in the Red Sea.
It was reported that the British-owned cargo ship was operated by a Japanese company. The Nippon Yusen K.K., also known as NYK Line, had 25 people on board.
Marcos expressed his gratitude to His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, and his government for their mediation, which led to the safe release of the 17 Filipino seafarers.
He lauded the Philippine agencies and private entities that “worked with foreign governments and organizations for more than 429 days to make this momentous development possible.”
He also noted that the release of the seafarers is a key reason he signed Republic Act No. 12021, also known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which aims to protect the rights of Filipino seafarers by ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and skills development.