President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to offer extensive assistance to the 17 Filipino seafarers from the M/V Galaxy Leader, who were recently liberated by Houthi rebels and returned to the Philippines. The directive was shared by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac during a thanksgiving Mass held at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on January 27, 2025.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of helping the seafarers rebuild their lives, stating, “Let us help them rise again.” The seafarers, dubbed the “Courageous 17” by Cacdac, had endured over a year of mental and psychological trauma during their captivity by the Houthis, who hijacked their ship near Hodeidah in November 2023.
The DMW, along with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), has already provided the seafarers and their families with financial aid, training certificates, and gift bags. Secretary Cacdac has promised further support including employment opportunities, livelihood assistance, educational aid, and medical care.
The Department of Health has pledged to provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial support, while OWWA will maintain communication with the seafarers’ manning agency, Sea Power Shipping Enterprises Inc., to ensure they receive all entitled benefits from the ship’s owner.
Cacdac also expressed gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for their role in securing the seafarers’ safe release and return, and acknowledged the support from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) during the crisis.
During the Mass, Fr. Paulo H. Prigol, CS, from the Apostolatus Maris Seafarers Center, praised the resilience of the seafarers’ families. A representative of the seafarers thanked President Marcos and the government for their relentless efforts, particularly highlighting the successful diplomatic negotiations with the government of Oman, led by His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, which were crucial in their release.
The seafarer’s representative concluded with a heartfelt message to President Marcos, appreciating his leadership and unwavering support, which he said serves as a beacon of hope for all Filipinos, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).