MANILA, Philippines – After more than a year since taking them hostage aboard their ship, Yemeni Houthi rebels have released the 17 Filipino seafarers aboard the Galaxy Leader ship, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Thursday, January 23.

“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 social media post in the early hours of Thursday.

The seafarers are now with the Philippine embassy in Muscat, and “will be united with their loved ones in the Philippines very soon.”

The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were first captured by the Houthis in November 2023 aboard their Israel-owned, Japanese-operated cargo vessel in the Red Sea. It was one of the spill-over events from the war in Gaza, as the Houthis acted in solidarity with Palestinian militant group Hamas, which had been at war with Israel.

The news comes days after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire following more than a year of fighting that saw more than 47,000 Palestinians killed and millions homeless, according to Gaza medical officials.

Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV reported that the crew were handed to Oman “in coordination” with the three-day-old ceasefire in Gaza.

“The release of the Galaxy Leader crew comes within the framework of our solidarity with Gaza and in support of the ceasefire agreement,” it quoted the Houthi Supreme Political Council as saying.

Amid the attempts from the Philippines to get the 17 seafarers out, the Houthis had said that they would release them only once the war in Gaza ends.

‘Quiet diplomacy works’

Marcos in his Thursday message expressed gratitude to Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman and his government for their successful mediation, which led to the seafarers’ eventual release and safe passage through Oman.

The President also commended the Philippine government agencies who, for more than 429 days, worked with foreign governments to negotiate the seafarers’ release.

In a separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joined in celebrating their release, and said the department was working on the seafarers’ immediate repatriation “so that they could reunite with their long-suffering families as soon as possible.”

“Our successful efforts despite all the challenges prove that quiet diplomacy works. The men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs will remain true to our calling to serve our country and people,” the DFA said.

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said in a statement that the “release of the Galaxy Leader crew is heartwarming news that puts an end to the arbitrary detention and separation that they and their families endured for more than a year.”

“This is a step in the right direction, and I urge Ansar Allah to continue these positive steps on all fronts, including ending all maritime attacks,” Grundberg said.

Marcos said that the 17 seafarers were the reason why he signed the recently passed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law.

“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.

Apart from the 17 Filipinos, the Galaxy Leader crew also included nationals of Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, and Romania, according to the car carrier’s owner of Galaxy Maritime.

The Houthis carried out over 100 attacks during the war in Gaza, affecting various ships with Filipino crew. One of the other most notable events were the Houthis’ attack on bulk carrier True Confidence, which led to the deaths of two Filipino seafarers. – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com