The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) wished for the well-being and fast recovery of the 17 Filipinos held captive by Houthi rebels for 14 months.
DFA secretary Enrique Manalo had a brief interaction with the 17 seafarers who arrived via an Oman Air flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.
“The long wait is over. Our prayers were answered. I join the Filipino nation in welcoming back to the Philippines the 17 Filipino hostages. Their pleasant disposition, resilience in spirit, and strength as a team saw them through this most difficult ordeal,” he said.
“My colleagues and I will continue to pray for their recovery, health, and well-being.”
In a presser upon their arrival, DFA undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega confirmed that the 17 arrived safe and sound, and have finally reunited with their families who welcomed them at the airport.
“They seem alright but hindi basta basta na papauwiin sila kasi we have to see how they are talaga. Some were crying,” he said.
“It was an all-of-government approach and I’d like to thank the Department of Migrant Workers because they had a very difficult job — (imagine) ‘yong patience nila that they contacted the families for over one year, this is 428 days they were in touch with the families,” De Vega added.
Philippine ambassador to Oman Raul Hernandez shared that the release took place a few days after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was announced.
After the seafarers were transferred to Oman, the Philippine Embassy immediately took custody of the 17 M/V Galaxy Leader crew members.
“They had, of course, the medical checkup. We reviewed the documents and immediately we booked them for this flight,” he said.
The DFA earlier said it is “eternally grateful” for all the support and mediation efforts of the Sultanate of Oman that made the release possible.
The Houthis released the 17, together with eight other foreign nationals, on January 22 in “support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
The Bahamas-flagged cargo vessel was sailing from Turkey to India when Houthi fighters boarded and seized it on November 19, 2023.
At the time of the attack, the vessel was chartered by Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha.
Japan, Israel elated
In a separate statement, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said it was relieved to hear that the crew had been finally released by the Yemeni rebels.
“Japan, in cooperation with the G7 and other like-minded countries, has been urging the Houthis and working with other countries concerned to release the crew and the vessel itself. We highly appreciate the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman and all the countries concerned in achieving the release,” press secretary Kitamura Toshihiro said.
Toshihiro reiterated that the right and freedom of navigation “must be respected” and that Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts toward the cessation of attacks by the Houthis and the early release of the Galaxy Leader’s vessel.
Israel’s deputy chief of mission to the Philippines Ester Buzgan said she also shared Manila’s elation over their return.
“I know what it’s like to feel to have your people been back after more than 400 days being held captive by terrorists, and I can only share my happiness together with you for getting your people back,” she told reporters in an interview on Thursday.
“I remember myself jumping out of happiness by getting our hostages back. So, I know what it feels like, and I’m sure the families of the Filipinos are also rejoiced with having them back.” (PNA)
