In a significant development, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the liberation of 17 Filipino crew members from the M/V Galaxy Leader, who had been detained in Yemen for over a year. The seafarers are currently under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman, and are expected to reunite with their families in the Philippines soon.
Marcos expressed immense relief and joy at the end of the seafarers’ 429-day ordeal, thanking Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and his government for their pivotal role in mediating the release and ensuring the safe passage of the crew through Oman.
The M/V Galaxy Leader was seized by Yemeni rebels in the Red Sea in November 2023, with its 25 crew members, including the 17 Filipinos, taken hostage in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The release of the seafarers marks a significant achievement after more than a year of intense negotiations involving various Philippine government agencies, private entities, and foreign governments.
President Marcos highlighted the importance of the country’s seafaring workforce and their protection under Philippine law, referencing Republic Act No. 12021, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. This law, signed by Marcos, aims to safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers, ensuring equal opportunities, education, training, and development in the maritime industry.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is set to release a formal statement on the matter. This news comes amidst a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has facilitated the release of hostages and detainee exchanges in Gaza.