The 17 Filipino seafarers, who were held captives for over a year in Yemen, were finally back home.
They arrived in Manila on Thursday evening, Jan. 23, via Oman Air flight.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Filipino seafarers were in "pleasant disposition" as they step foot to their home country after 428 days in captivity by Houthi rebels.
"The long wait is over! Our prayers were answered!" Manalo said as he welcomed the Filipino nationals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.
"I join the Filipino nation in welcoming back to the Philippines 17 Filipino hostages. Their pleasant disposition, resilience in spirit and strength as a team saw them through this most difficult ordeal," he added.
The Foreign Affairs secretary said they "will continue to pray for their recovery, health and well-being."
On Thursday morning, President Marcos announced that the Filipino hostages, along with the rest of the crew members of M/V Galaxy Leader, have been freed. He thanked the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik, his government, and all concerned Philippine government agencies in making the release of the seafarers possible.
Calls to stop attacks
The United States and Japan had called on the Houthis to permanently cease all attacks in the Red Sea and its surrounding waters.
While both countries welcomed the long-overdue release of the 25 crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Mexico, Romania, and Ukraine, they urged the Houthis to stop the attacks.
"The Houthis have also stated that they will continue their unlawful attacks in the Red Sea against certain vessels associated with Israel. The Houthis must permanently cease all attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways without exception and immediately release all of the hundreds of detainees," the US Department of State said in a statement.
Japanese Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro also said that Japan, in cooperation with the G7 and other like-minded countries, has been urging the Houthis and working with other countries concerned to release the crew and the vessel itself.
"Japan reiterates that the right and freedoms of navigation must be respected and will continue its diplomatic efforts toward the cessation of attacks by the Houthis and the early release of the Galaxy Leader's vessel itself," Kitamura said.