MANILA, Dec. 4 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced that the nine Filipino seafarers who had been held by Houthi forces in Yemen are returning to the Philippines, commending the close cooperation between the Philippines and Oman that led to their release.

In a video message, Marcos said the Filipino survivors arrived in Oman on Wednesday and were received by officials from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

After a brief processing of documents, they were cleared to return home immediately, Marcos added.

"Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat. Meron po akong ihahatid na magandang balita. 'Yung siyam na marino na ating kababayan ay naligtas mula sa lumubog na barko yung MV Ete...