17 Filipino seamen freed

(UPDATE) THE 17 Filipino crewmen of an oil tanker seized by Houthi rebels in Yemen in November 2023 have been released. The release of the Filipinos and the rest of the crew of the M/V Galaxy Leader was announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a statement released by Malacañang past midnight Thursday. "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," Marcos said. The Galaxy Leader, with a 25-member crew, was hijacked by the rebels while it was sailing in the Red Sea. The Philippines government had worked non-stop for their release and repatriation. Marcos thanked the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, for mediating the release of the tanker's crew. He also commended "the concerned Philippine government agencies and private instrumentalities who worked tirelessly with foreign governments and entities for more than 429 days in making this momentous development possible." Marcos said the incident was one of the reasons he enacted Republic Act 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. "This is to protect their rights and overall welfare, to promote their full employment and to ensure equal opportunities in the maritime industry — regardless of gender or creed — including equitable access to education, training and development, consistent with existing domestic and international laws, standards and conventions," he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Thursday the Filipino seafarers would be flown home soon. "Our successful efforts despite all the challenges prove that quiet diplomacy works," the DFA said. It said it has made preparations for their seafarers' immediate repatriation to Manila "so that they could reunite with their long-suffering families as soon as possible." Sen. Joel Villanueva also thanked Oman and "for tirelessly mediating for peace in the Middle East" and for the release of the Filipino seafarers. "Back in 2023, we called on our government agencies to secure the safety and freedom of these brave Filipino seafarers, and today, we are grateful to see those efforts come to fruition," Villanueva said in a statement. He said that the establishment of the DMW, through a bill which he authored in the Senate, "has proven to be instrumental in ensuring faster and more efficient services to our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in crisis situations." Speaker Martin Romualdez said the release of the hostages is "a testament to the President's unwavering commitment to the welfare of Filipino workers worldwide." "Their safe return is a triumph for their families and for the entire Filipino nation. This moment of joy is a reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration, perseverance, and diplomacy," Romualdez said. House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairman and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the rescue of the 17 Filipino seafarers not only "underscores the resilience and courage of our seafarers but also highlights the steadfast efforts of our government in ensuring their safe return." OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa del Mar-Magsino said the seafarers' rescue is proof of the government's dedication to protect Filipino migrant workers across the globe. "We will continue to cooperate to ensure the safety, rights and dignity of overseas Filipino workers across the globe" Magsino added. Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo thanked the private sector, including the shipowner's representative and the seafarers' manning agency, for not abandoning the seafarers and for supporting them and their families.