MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs confirms that one Filipino seafarer was released by the Iranian authorities, leaving 17 other Filipino seafarers onboard the seized oil tanker ST Nikolas.
In a text message to media, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said that the seaman was released last February 4, while 17 others decided to stay.
“On the 18, they are now down to 17 as one was released. The others are there out of their free will as they are being paid double their salary,” De Vega said. “What is needed is for the agency to replace them with other seafarers.”
The Filipino national was released a month after the youngest crew member of the ship, a Greek cadet, was allowed to leave the oil tanker.
De Vega mentioned that there is no indication about the ship’s release “as this is with Iranian courts.”
The Mashall Islands-flagged oil tanker ST Nikolas was seized by Iranian authorities in the Gulf of Oman last January 11 while the ship was in transit between the Iraqi port of Basra and Turkey.
According to foreign media reports, the seized vessel, previously known as the Suez Rajan, was once at the center of another dispute between the U.S. and Iran that ultimately saw the U.S. seize over 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil.
Earlier reports from the Iranian Navy said that the seizure was in retaliation for the U.S. confiscation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. called the seizure “unlawful” and “contrary to international law”. In a statement released by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander U.S. 5th Fleet, said that “Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and threaten maritime security and stability.”
