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17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Houthis freed

17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by Houthis freed. Courtesy: Philippine Embassy, Muscat

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737595020693Filipino-seafarers.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Courtesy: Philippine Embassy, Muscat</em></span></span></span></div><p>Seventeen Filipino seafarers <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/22/23/dfa-17-filipinos-held-by-rebels-in-hijacked-ship-in-red-sea">held hostage</a> by Iran-backed Houthi rebels since November 2023 are now free, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said early Thursday.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-CGFYNdL6hw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>“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,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.  </p><p>He added: “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.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/24/23/17-filipinos-in-hijacked-ship-safe-so-far-dfa">17 Filipinos in hijacked ship safe so far, says DFA</a></div><p>Media reports earlier said Houthi rebels seized the vessel last November 2023 on behalf of Palestinians who are &quot;being massacred by Israel.&quot; They said they would target all ships related to Israel and warned that no country&#x27;s vessels should engage with Israel in the Red Sea.</p><p>The British-owned cargo ship is operated by a Japanese company.</p><p>The Nippon Yusen K.K., known as NYK Line, has a total of 25 people on board. The crew hails from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AokRCUQX78A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/>In his statement, President Marcos thanked His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman and his government for the successful mediation, “which led to the eventual release and safe passage of our countrymen through Oman.”</div><p>He also commended concerned Philippine government agencies and private instrumentalities who “worked with foreign governments and entities for more than 429 days in making this momentous development possible.”</p><p>He said the seafarers’ release is the reason why he signed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/23/marcos-signs-into-law-magna-carta-for-filipino-seafarers-1309">Republic Act No. 12021</a>—known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarer—which aims to protect Filipino seafarers&#x27; rights, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and skills development.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WTSXmJA5d3w?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=AA3cmeQReeJnMckM&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div>

<p>Seventeen Filipino seafarers <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/22/23/dfa-17-filipinos-held-by-rebels-in-hijacked-ship-in-red-sea">held hostage</a> by Iran-backed Houthi rebels since November 2023 are now free, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said early Thursday.</p>

Seventeen Filipino seafarers held hostage by Iran-backed Houthi rebels since November 2023 are now free, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said early Thursday.