Last 4 Filipino crew of missile-hit tanker back in Manila
Photo courtesy of DMW via Ariel Fernadez
The last four Filipino crew members of the Panama-flagged oil tanker MT Aqua 1 -- which was struck by a missile near Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial Hub on April 1 -- safely returned to the Philippines on Thursday night, April 29.
The group arrived aboard a commercial flight that landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City. They were welcomed by officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), who immediately extended financial assistance.
The first batch of 10 crew members returned home on April 15, followed by another seven on April 22.
A total of 21 Filipino seafarers were aboard MT Aqua during the missile strike, but no one was injured.
The government, led by the DMW, has assured continued support to help the crew members restart their journey.
Meanwhile, more than 1,200 Filipino crew members have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks. The DMW said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of Filipino seafarers still operating in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing closure of key waterways.