6 Filipino Seafarers Return Home After Hormuz Security Incident

MANILA, Philippines — Six Filipino seafarers aboard the Liberia-flagged oil tanker M/V Al Bahyah arrived in Manila on Monday after the vessel was involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on a Qatar Airways flight. Upon their arrival, the seafarers were welcomed by representatives of the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. They were given financial assistance. The Manila International Airport Authority medical team conducted initial medical assessments before the seafarers were turned over to representatives of their licensed manning agency. The DMW said the six Filipino crewmembers were rescued following the incident. Five were unharmed while one suffered a minor injury. The DMW reiterated its call on licensed manning agencies and their accredited principals to strictly observe safety protocols and comply with existing government directives to protect Filipino seafarers assigned to vessels transiting high-risk maritime areas, including the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the 14 Filipino seafarers who were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on the Kuwait-flagged oil and chemical tanker MT Kaifan have been transferred to Dubai ahead of their repatriation. The Philippine embassy in Oman and the Migrant Workers Office in Muscat have provided welfare assistance to the seafarers. Two crewmembers were injured when the tanker was struck near Oman, forcing preparations to abandon the ship. The vessel was left without engine power as fire spread close to its fuel tanks. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the incident after receiving reports from a tanker broadcasting an emergency message.