DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The ordeal of 23 Filipino seamen incarcerated for almost three years here for the crime they never committed is finally over.

The long wait to be reunited with their families will now be a reality. The Filipino seamen are now free men after they languished for years in Al Mamorach jail in Ras Al Khaimah here.

First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo, who raised 500,000 dirhams or P7.5 million of private funds, is bringing these Filipino seamen back home to be reunited with their families.

Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council Amable Aguiluz V donated 100,000 dirhams or P1.5 million that completed 600,000 dirhams or P9 million settlement fee for the Filipino seafarers' release.

Aguiluz, on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's instruction, made the representation to UAE government for the repatriation of the seamen.

Together with the First Gentleman and Aguiluz, the freed Filipino seamen will fly to the Philippines via Gulf Air flight GF 606 at 10 p.m. Tuesday. The group will arrive in Manila at 12:45 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday.

The Filipino seamen are Paulito Gemina, Marianito Gemina, Nestor Agustin, Joel Sumalde, Rogelio Gariando, Ronnie Valdez, Mario Algadon, Ildefonso Amul, Marcelino Silan, Edward Reyes, Jose Diaz, Jhonny Villasotto Frederick Caramoan, Samuel Ramirez, Fred Vertudez, Rufino Sawali, Danilo Padilla, Albert Dagsa, Macasio Dagsa, Leonard Zapata, Alvin John Tayao, Renato Tejero and Antonio Hafalla.

As an added treat, the First Gentleman and Ambassador Aguiluz gave the Pinoy seamen US$200 each so they can buy "pasalubong" for their families. The First Gentleman also committed to them capital seed money for income generating activities upon arrival in the Philippines.

These Filipino seamen were jailed here after they were duped by their Indian employer into signing blank salary loan forms at the RAK Bank.

While they were acquitted from criminal liability for bank fraud, the bank insisted they pay back the almost two million dirhams or about P28 million. Unless they pay the amount, they will not be released from jail even after they have already served the four-month sentence.

Through negotiations the RAK bank agreed to accept a settlement of 600,000 dirhams for their release.

The freed Filipinos are grateful for the kind-hearted generosity of Mr. Arroyo as well as Ambassador Aguiluz for providing the money. They also expressed gratitude to the President who made personal appeal to UAE authorities.

Reyes, one of the seamen, who turned 29 years old Monday, said while still in jail, this was still his most memorable birthday and would be forever grateful to the First Couple, Aguiluz and other Philippine officials who assisted them.

Amul, whose wife Ligaya will celebrate her birthday on October 9, said his freedom and reunion with his family would be the best birthday gift that his wife will get.

"Napatunayan ko ang pagtulong ng ating gobyerno sa tulad naming may mga problemang OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers)," Paulito Gemina said.

"Matagal na naming idinarasal na magpadala ang Diyos ng taong tutulong sa amin at dininig nga ang aming panalangin. Habang buhay naming tatanawing utang na loob ang ginawa nilang tulong," 58-year-old Gariando narrated.

"Dininig ang aming mga panalangin sa pamamagitan mo (First Gentleman), pinaliwanag muli ang aming nagdilim na pag-asa," Marianito Gemina said.