All 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2023 are set to return home, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said.

“It is with utmost joy that, after more than a year of captivity in Yemen, I announce the safe release of all seventeen [ 17 ] Filipino seafarers, together with the rest of the crewmembers of M/V Galaxy Leader,” President Marcos said in a statement.

“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.

President Marcos thanked His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, and his government for their successful mediation, which led in the eventual release, and safe passage of the Filipino seafarers through Oman.

The President also commended the Philippine government agencies and private entities “who worked tirelessly with foreign governments and entities for more than 429 days in making this momentous development possible.”

The Houthis hijacked the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader near Hodeidah in November 2023 while en route to India, taking hostage its 25 crewmembers, including 17 Filipinos.

The move was reportedly in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Following this development, President Marcos emphasized that the incident serves as a living testament to the importance of signing the Republic Act No. 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law.

President Marcos said the law will “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.” | PND