40 seafarers aboard two vessels in Hormuz safe after attack
FORTY FILIPINO seafarers are safe following separate attacks on two commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, Malacañang said on Monday.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said that Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac briefed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on the status of crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged MV Ever Lovely and the Panama-flagged oil tanker MV Kiku.
The MV Ever Lovely, carrying 21 Filipinos, was reportedly attacked by Iran while exiting the strait.
Despite the incident, the vessel remains seaworthy and is expected to reach Singapore by July 5, Ms. Castro told a news briefing.
Similarly, MV Kiku, with 19 Filipino crew members, continued its voyage after a separate attack. No injuries were reported in either incident, she said.
“Authorities are monitoring the condition of the vessels and their crews,” she said, noting that the government is coordinating psychosocial assistance for the seafarers.
Ms. Castro said that authorities are closely watching the situation of nearly 3,800 Filipino seafarers remaining on ships in the Persian Gulf. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
