17 PH seafarers held captive return home

(UPDATE) THE 17 Filipino seafarers held captive by Houthi rebels in Yemen for over a year have all returned to the Philippines, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced. The crewmen of the cargo ship MV Galaxy Leader arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:31 p.m. on Thursday on a flight from Muscat, Oman. They were welcomed by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and several other government officials. The seafarers were reunited with their families at the airport and were later debriefed by the DMW and OWWA. "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," Manalo said. The DMW, in a statement, expressed admiration for the seamen's "unwavering strength and trust in the Philippine government. For more than a year, we were with you all throughout this journey as directed by the President, where you stood firm in hope, which strengthened our efforts to secure this momentous outcome." OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio ordered his agency's Repatriation Assistance Division to see to it that the seafarers receive financial assistance, counseling and stress debriefing. Ignacio said the OWWA will meet with Sea Power Shipping Enterprises Inc., the seafarers' manning agency. The OWWA also will assist the seafarers during their recovery period. Philippine Ambassador to Oman Raul Hernandez said the Houthis freed their captives a few days after Israel and Hamas declared a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis, a close ally of Hamas, had seized several ships and their crew in the Red Sea. The Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader was sailing from Turkey to India when Houthi fighters seized it on Nov. 19, 2023. At the time of the attack, the vessel was chartered by Japan's Nippon Yusen Kaisha. After the ship's Filipino crewmembers were transferred to Oman, the Philippine Embassy immediately took custody of them. "They had, of course, the medical checkup. We reviewed the documents and immediately we booked them for this flight," Hernandez said. In a separate statement, the Japanese foreign ministry said it was relieved to hear that the crew had been released by the Yemen-based 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 shared Manila's elation over the seamen's 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 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." The US Department of State welcomed the release of the Galaxy Leader's crew, which is also made up of nationals from Bulgaria, Mexico, Romania and Ukraine. "The Houthis have still not released the MV Galaxy Leader itself, which is stolen property. Houthi attacks have endangered the lives of seafarers, hindered the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance, and harmed economies across the region," the department said. "We must not be distracted by this insufficient action by the Houthis." The state department said that within Yemen, the Houthis continue to round up and detain hundreds of local staff members of the United Nations, non-government organizations, and diplomatic missions "under abysmal conditions." "The Houthis have also stated that they will continue their unlawful attacks in the Red Sea against certain vessels associated with Israel," it said. "The Houthis must permanently cease all attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways without exception and immediately release all of the hundreds of detainees," the state department said.