00:00After more than a year of waiting and no sign of negotiation,
00:06the 17 marines rescued by the rebel Houthis who were heading towards India were able to return home safely.
00:16President Marcos Jr. is extremely grateful to all those who helped to rescue the so-called Filipino seafarers from their families.
00:28Kenneth Paciente reporting for Centro ng Balita.
00:35After more than a year, the 17 Filipino seafarers were released after being rescued by the Houthi rebels in November 2023.
00:44President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself announced this development.
00:49He is now in the care of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman,
00:54the Filipino seafarers were able to return to the Philippines to be with their families in an easier time.
01:01The Executive Board of the Oman government and its Sultan are also grateful for their efforts that resulted in the release of the Filipino seafarers.
01:11At the same time, the Chief Executive of the Concerned Philippine Government Agency and the private sector
01:17also recognized the efforts of the foreign government entities to release the Filipino seafarers.
01:25In November 2023, the Houthis hijacked the Galaxy Leader ship while it was on its way to India,
01:31where it rescued 25 crew members, including the 17 Filipinos.
01:37Since then, the President has been strict with the release of the Filipino seafarers and their safety.
01:44They will also be reminded of the President's cancellation of his visit to the Convention on Climate Change in Dubai in November 2023 to address the situation.
01:53Again, the Chief Executive of the Concerned Philippine Government Agency gave the released seafarers an example,
01:58which is why the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers was enacted.
02:02It is for their well-being and to ensure that their rights in various aspects such as equal opportunity, education,
02:10as well as training and development in accordance with international standards.
02:15Kenneth Paciente, for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
