By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that at least seven Filipino seafarers were injured after the Malta-flagged container vessel MV San Antonio was hit by a drone attack in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5.
In a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Thursday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the seven Filipinos were among the eight crew members injured when the ship was struck by an Iranian drone, clarifying earlier international reports that described the vessel as French-flagged.
“Based on our records, it is a Maltese, Malta-flagged ship, and ang situation is na-attack siya (the situation is that it was attacked) around May 5. As per report, it was a drone attack. It was an Iranian drone attack that hit the ship,” he said.
“There are several crew on board. Seven of them are Filipino crew, Filipino seafarers. All seafarers are okay. They are alive. They survived the attack. However, they suffered injuries one way or another,” he added.
Cacdac said all the Filipino crew members are being treated in an undisclosed hospital.
He said of the seven crew, four suffered minor injuries, while three are currently being monitored and treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) after incurring more serious injuries.
He, however, assured that the injuries are not life-threatening.
The injuries, he added, were attributed to burns and gas inhalation following the explosion caused by the drone strike.
“Rest assured, the seafarers are alive. They survived the attack, and they had been taken out of the ship. And our relevant, di ko muna sasabihin kung anong embassy (I will not divulge yet which embassy), but our relevant embassy and labor attache, migrant workers office, are monitoring their situation,” Cacdac said.
He said the Philippine embassy and labor officials have already coordinated with hospital authorities and have been able to communicate with the injured seafarers under medical supervision.
He added that Philippine government officials will soon visit the injured Filipino seafarers and provide assistance in coordination with the host government.
More Filipino seafarers out of Strait of Hormuz
Cacdac also reported that more than 1,400 Filipino seafarers have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters amid the ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East.
He said that in the past week, four vessels carrying around 92 Filipino crew members were able to leave the area.
On the crew replacement policy, Cacdac explained that during the early stage of the conflict, the government restricted replacement of Filipino seafarers in the Persian Gulf to prevent crews from being left stranded or swapped under risky conditions.
However, following a ceasefire, Cacdac said this policy has been relaxed.
“So, with the onset of the ceasefire, now we have allowed replacement crew but only for those whose contracts are finished and for those who have been experiencing fatigue or some form of post-traumatic stress,” he said. (PNA)
