THE three Filipino seafarers belonging to the crew of the Portuguese-registered vessel MSC Aries seized in April by Iranian naval forces were freed, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Saturday.
“We just didn’t announce it, but the three remaining Filipinos on the MSC Aries, which was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz, have been quietly returned home,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said, noting the three sailors arrived in the Philippines on Thursday.
“They just got back, so we thank the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), the ship owner and, of course, for allowing them to get back — even the Iranian government helped,” he added.
‘IN THE WORKS’ Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac says in a news forum in Quezon City on Aug. 3, 2024 that Manila’s appeal for the release of the 17 Filipino crew members of the Houthi-seized MV Galaxy Leader in Yemen is still in the works. PHOTO BY JOAN BONDOC/PNA
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Special Naval Force of Iran seized the MCS Aries between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iran alleged that the vessel was linked to Israel.
Four of the 25 crew members of the ship were Filipinos. One of the Filipino seafarers held captive was freed last May.
In a related development, Cacdac said the Philippine government was working tediously for the release of the 17 Filipino seafarers held captive by Houthis in Yemen.
He said the three sailors showing symptoms of malaria were currently being treated in a hospital, while the other 14 were on board the vessel.
“As far as we know, they are safe. They are being fed and given their basic necessities on board the ship,” Cacdac said.
“The DFA has reached out to the governments that have communication channels with the Houthi rebels, and so we, of course, are relying on and coordinating with the DFA in terms of the information,” he said.
Houthi militants hijacked the MV Galaxy Leader near Hodeidah in November 2023 while it was sailing for India.
“The Houthi rebels, they are making a statement with respect to the support for the Palestinians in Gaza — so we believe that this is related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza,” Cacdac said.
Cacdac added that the approximately 700 Filipinos in Bangladesh were safe amid the ongoing civil unrest in the country.
“We don’t have a migrant workers office in Bangladesh, but we do have an embassy,” Cacdac said.
“Our OFWs in Bangladesh are mostly skilled workers, technical. And some of them are in the hotel sector, hospitality sector. They are safe and sound at this stage, and we hope it’s safe that way,” he added.
Bangladeshi protesters were calling for reforms in their public service quota system that reserves 56 percent of government jobs to state supporters.
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