The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expresses its profound gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. and his administration for their effective diplomatic engagement with the Government of Oman, which led to the successful rescue and release of 17 Filipino seafarers held captive by Houthi rebels for over a year.
“Following the pardon of 220 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the successful return of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines from more than a decade of incarceration in Indonesia, this most recent humanitarian intervention of Oman that led to the release of our Filipino seafarers is a sterling testament to the consistent effective diplomatic efforts of the Marcos Administration,” stated TUCP Vice President Luis Corral.
The seafarers, crew members of the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader, were taken hostage in November 2023 while traversing the Red Sea. The vessel’s hijacking by Houthi forces was reportedly in retaliation for events linked to the conflict in Gaza as stated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“President Marcos has once again demonstrated his appreciation and recognition of the sacrifices of our Filipino seafarers, especially those who navigate international waters and endure the perils of global conflicts to provide for their families and contribute to our nation. Through quiet yet decisive diplomacy, the President has secured concrete results that uplift the lives of Filipino working families, free from rhetoric and theatrics,” said Corral.
The country’s largest labor center TUCP commends this diplomatic milestone as a powerful testament to international cooperation and the Philippines’ commitment to protect and promote the rights and dignity of Filipinos everywhere.
“President Marcos has demonstrated exemplary leadership by working hand-in-hand with the international community to ensure the safety and eventual release of our seafarers successfully. The successful partnership between Oman and the Philippines embodied the best of global cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises. This milestone not only reunites our seafarers with our affected families but reaffirms the role of the Philippines as a responsible global citizen committed to getting to the bottom of the underlying causes of tragedies and preventing further harm to civilians caught in the crossfire of global conflicts, ultimately striving for lasting peace and security,” underscored Corral.
