MANILA, Philippines — The 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2023 are set to return home, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday.

“It is with utmost joy that, after more than a year of captivity in Yemen, I announce the safe release of all 17 Filipino seafarers, together with the rest of the crewmembers of M/V Galaxy Leader,” President Marcos said in a statement earlier today.

According to Marcos, the seafarers are now in the custody of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman and will be coming home to the Philippines “very soon.”

No details of the repatriation have been released as of posting time. 

Marcos likewise thanked His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, and his government for their successful mediation, which led in the eventual release, and safe passage of the Filipino seafarers through Oman.

The Houthis hijacked the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader near Hodeidah in November 2023 while en route to India, taking hostage its 25 crewmembers, including 17 Filipinos. They were held in captivity for over 429 days.

The move was reportedly in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a 2024 advisory, the DFA said that Filipino seafarers should “exercise prudent choice” in traversing the Red Sea since danger remains in the area after a Houthi attack impacted Filipino sailors.

“This situation has worsened due in part to the conflict escalation in the Red Sea that poses a clear and present danger to all Filipino seafarers working in the area,” DFA said.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 23 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea have been rescued from a drifting tanker after three missiles launched by Houthi rebels hit the ship on August 21, 2024.