Nine Filipino seafarers from the M/V Eternity C, who were held hostage by Houthi rebels for five months, have returned to Manila just in time for Christmas. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed their arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday evening. Prior to landing, they were greeted in Muscat, Oman, by DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Oman Raul Hernandez.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for its assistance in facilitating the seafarers’ return. Upon their release, the seafarers reported that they were treated well by their captors, although they did not anticipate their release on that particular day. Cacdac noted that while there were discussions about their return, the timing took them by surprise.
Upon arriving at a hotel in Muscat, the seafarers immediately contacted their families. Cacdac highlighted the support from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as the seafarers had left their travel documents on the ship, which sank. Ambassador Raul oversaw the issuance of travel documents to replace their passports.
The DMW also announced that the seafarers would receive financial assistance from various government agencies. Additionally, arrangements are being made for the repatriation of another seafarer from the M/V Eternity C, as well as the remains of Maryan Pascual Esteban, a Filipino domestic helper who tragically died in a fire in Hong Kong.
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