One of the four Filipino crew members of a Portuguese-flagged vessel that was seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on board Emirates Air via Dubai yesterday afternoon after he was freed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) headed by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) welcomed the Filipino seafarer who was released by Iran after captivity on April 13, 2024 aboard a Portuguese-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Filipino seafarer was also welcomed by his wife.
The DMW did not identify the Filipino seafarer, and blurred his photo for security reasons and interview was also not allowed.
The Filipino was among the seven crew members of MSC Aries container vessel that was freed earlier by Iran.
In its earlier statement, the DMW is pleased to announce that one Filipino crew member of the MSC Aries has been released by Iranian authorities.
“We send our sincerest thanks to Secretary Enrique Manalo and his entire team at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who spared no efforts to secure the release of our brave seafarer,” the DMW said.
“The DMW will continue working with the DFA, the ship agent and licensed manning agency to secure the release of the three Filipino crew men who remain in the custody of Iranian authorities.” he added.
In compliance with the President’s directive, the DMW and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), is in touch with the families of all the crewmen, assuring them of the government’s full support and assistance during this difficult time.
The DMW, OWW, and DFA, in coordination with the ship agent and licensed manning agency, are now working to bring the Filipino crew member home to reunite him with his family.
In the meantime, the DMW, OWWA and DFA are optimistic that the three Filipino seafarers will be released soon.
