14 seafarers return to PH after deadly Strait of Hormuz attack

National

A GROUP of Filipino seafarers returned home from the United Arab Emirates following the attack on the oil tanker MV SIDR in the Strait of Hormuz.

Two Filipino seafarers died when the SIDR was struck by “still unknown” projectiles on the evening of Aug. 31.

The unharmed 14 Filipinos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, aboard Emirates flight EK334, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said per a report by Inquirer.net.

Financial and medical assistance were given by the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to the 14 seafarers.

“Nasa mabuti silang kalagayan, relatively unharmed, ligtas at ngayon ay handa nang makadaupang palad ang kanilang pamilya sa hotel accommodation na inihanda ng aming agency. Overall, they are in good spirits,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told the media.

In coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Oman and the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, the repatriation of the two deceased seafarers is underway.

In a previous statement, the DMW said it was investigating the compliance with Filipino deployment regulations of the SIDR ship owner and manning agency.

“The department is examining compliance with regulations governing safe transit, avoidance of high-risk and warlike areas, the right of Filipino seafarers to refuse to sail, the submission of risk assessments before deployment, and the provision of adequate onboard safety and security measures,” the DMW said.(MyTVCebu)