The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are working on the release of the four Filipino seafarers of the seized container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement on Sunday, April 14, DMW confirmed that four Pinoy seamen were onboard MSC Aries when Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took the ship's control.
The migrant workers department said it is communicating with the seafarers' families to assure them of the government's support and assistance as instructed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
"We are also in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the licensed manning agency (LMA), the ship manager, and the operator to ensure the safety and well-being as well as work on the release of our dear seafarers," DMW ended.
In a video obtained by Reuters, members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps were seen jumping down from a helicopter to the MSC Aries, which they believed linked to Israel, on Saturday, April 13.
Iran seized a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which it said was linked with Israel. Tehran has warned it would retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its Syria consulate https://t.co/bZRSc2QfoU pic.twitter.com/1taNXxPPJ0
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 13, 2024
Reuters, in its report, stated that the authorities from MSC Aries "confirmed that Iran had seized the ship and said it was working "with the relevant authorities" for its safe return and the wellbeing of its 25 crew."
