9 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels back in PH

The nine Filipino seafarers from the M/V Eternity C who were held hostage by Houthi rebels have arrived in Manila just in time for Christmas. 

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that the seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday evening. 

But prior to landing in Manila, they were met by DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Oman Raul Hernandez at Muscat, Oman, according to Vonne Aquino’s report in “24 Oras.” 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also thanked the Sultanate of Oman for helping bring back the seafarers who were held captive for five months. 

The DMW said that the seafarers shared that they were treated properly by the rebels. But they did not expect that they would be released on Monday. 

“Hindi nila inaasahan, sabi nila ay merong tysana ng kanilang pagpapauwi pero hindi nila inaasahan na ngayon mangyari,” said Cacdac. 

(They did not expect it. They said there was talk of their return home, but they did not expect it to happen now.) 

The seafarers immediately called their families upon arriving at the hotel in Muscat. 

“Pasalamat tayo sa DFA kasi siyempre naiwanan nila sa barko yung mga travel documents nila kasi lumubog yung barko,” said Cacdac. 

(We thank the DFA because, of course, they left their travel documents on the ship because the ship sank.) 

“So ngayong gabi, na-witness ko mismo ang pagpapasinaya ni Ambassador Raul na pagbibigay sa kanila ng travel documents in lieu of their passports,” he added. 

(So tonight, I personally witnessed Ambassador Raul presiding over the giving of travel documents to them in lieu of their passports.) 

The DMW said that the seafarers will receive financial grants and other assistance courtesy of various government agencies. 

Meanwhile, the remains of another seafarer from M/V Eternity C will be repatriated to the Philippines next week. 

Further, the DMW said that the repatriation of the remains of Maryan Pascual Esteban, the Filipino domestic helper who died in the Hong Kong fire, is being arranged. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News