Four Filipino seafarers were on board a Portuguese container ship MSC Aries when it was seized by Iranian authorities near the Strait of Hormuz, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Sunday, April 14.
“The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirms the seizure by Iranian authorities of the containership MSC Aries, with four Filipino seafarers on board,” the DMW statement read.
It added that the DMW already received an instruction from President Marcos to keep in touch with the families of the four Filipino seafarers and to assure them of the government’s efforts to bring them back.
“We are in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the licensed manning agency (LMA), ship manager and operator to ensure the safety and well-being as well as work on the release of our dear seafarers,” the statement read.
The commercial vessel was heading towards India from the United Arab Emirates early Saturday, April 13, when it was reported to have been seized by Iranian troops over its alleged link with Israel.
The commercial vessel has 25 crewmen and four of them are Filipinos.
The DMW said it already kept in touch with the families of the four Filipino seafarers and had assured them of full government support and assistance.