Pinoy seafarer on Iran-seized vessel is freed, comes home

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) head Arnel Ignacio, welcomed the Filipino seafarer who was released by Iran on April 13, 2024 after their captivity on board a Portuguese-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

The returning OFW was one of four Filipino crew of MSC Aries, which was seized by Iranian authorities last month.

Cacdac attributed the workers’ release to the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to negotiate the release with Tehran.

“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,” Cacdac said.

He said DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and DFA coordinated with the ship agent and licensed manning agency on the released Filipino seafarer’s repatriation.

DFA is also still in talks with Iranian officials for the release of the remaining three Filipino crew of MSC Aries.

“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 said.

He hopes the three seafarers will be released soon.

OWWA has provided aid to the families of the affected Filipino seafarers upon the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

The MSC Aries, with its 25 crew members, was boarded and held by Iranian naval authorities on April 13 as it was crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Its supposed links with Israel was tagged as motive for its seizure.

Iran and Israel have recently engaged in attacks against one another after the latter mounted an airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in the Syrian Capital of Damascus on April 1, 2024.

On Friday, the returning Filipino seafarer was welcomed by his wife. The DMW asked media not to identify the seafarer and blur photos for security reasons. Interviews were barred.

The seafarer arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on board Emirates Air via Dubai.