DAVAO CITY –Iranian authorities on Thursday May 9, released seven of the 25 seafarers aboard the Portuguese-flagged ship MSC Aries they had held since April 13.
The MSC Aries management announced that of the seven crew released included Five Indians, a Filipino and an Estonian.
The container ship with 25 seafarers sailing the Strait of Hormuz was held by Iranian Naval Authorities in the midst of the rising tension between Iran and Israel.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday announced that one of the four Filipino crew is now safe but they are still working for the release of the remaining Filipino captive.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac thank Secretary Enrique Manalo and the Department of Foreign Affairs for securing the release of the Filipino Crew,
“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.” Cacdac added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has earlier issued a directive to DMW and its attached agencies such as Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to get in touch with the families of all the crewmen and assure them of the government’s full support and assistance during this difficult time.
The DMW, OWWA, 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.
Iran earlier the owner of the ship had ties with Israel.
“It is certain that this ship belongs to the Zionist regime,” an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson earlier said.-Editha Z. Caduaya
