PINALAYA na ang 17 Pinoy seafarers na binihag ng Houthi rebels noong Nobyembre 23 sa Yemen kasama ang lahat ng iba pang crewmembers ng M/V Galaxy Leader, iniulat ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“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,” sabi ni Marcos Jr. sa isang kalatas na inilabas ng Malacañang.
Matatandaan na ang mga marinong Pinoy ay bahagi ng 25-man crew ng barkong na-hijack ng Houthis habang naglalayag sa Red Sea malapit sa Hodeidah noong Nobyembre 2023.
“Allow me to express my gratitude to His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman and his government for their successful mediation, which led to the eventual release and safe passage of our countrymen through Oman,” sabi ni Marcos Jr.
“I commend the concerned Philippine Government Agencies and private instrumentalities who worked tirelessly with foreign governments and entities for more than 429 days in making this momentous development possible,” dagdag niya.
Ipinaliwanag ni Marcos Jr. na ang naturang insidente ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit niya nilagdaan ang Republic Act 12021 o ang Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
“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,” aniya. (ROSE NOVENARIO)