None of the 40 Filipino seafarers aboard the vessels attacked at the Strait of Hormuz were harmed, announced the Palace on Monday, June 29.
In a press briefing at the Malacañan, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the 21 Filipinos on MV Ever Lovely were unharmed, including the captain.
“(Ang) MV Ever Lovely na may 21 Filipino crew on board ang sinasabing inatake ng Iran habang papalabas ng Strait of Hormuz. Walang nasaktan mula sa 21 Filipino crew kabilang ang kapitan ng vessel,” she said, adding that the vessel remains seaworthy and that the crew would arrive at Singapore on July 5.
As for the second vessel, an oil tanker carrying 19 Filipino seafarers, Castro said it remains seaworthy, continuing its journey. None of the Filipinos on board were hurt, either.
“May isa pang Panama flag tanker na inatake sa Strait of Hormuz. Ito ang oil tanker na may pangalang Kiko at lulan nito ang 19 Filipino crew. Nananatiling seaworthy ang vessel at nagpatuloy sa biyahe. Walang nasaktan sa 19 Filipino sailors na sakay nito,” she told reporters.
Castro assured that authorities were closely monitoring both vessels and coordinating with Filipino crew, in case any of them were in need of psychosocial assistance.
At present, there are over 2,000 Filipinos on board 85 ships leaving the strait, while less than 4,000 are in vessels at the Persian Gulf.
“Sa ngayon ay 2,100 Filipino seafarers na sakay ng 85 ships ang nakalabas na sa Strait of Hormuz. Habang 3,800 Filipino seafarers pa ang nakasampa ng barko sa Persian Gulf. Nanatiling nakatutok ang mga awtoridad sa kanilang kalagayan,” Castro said.
According to US media, MV Ever Lovely was following United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations’ (UKMTO) recommended route through the strait when it was struck, although its crew and cargo remain safe, said the ship’s owner.
Iran attacked after it warned that attempts to cross the strait by the route designated by the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) would be “unacceptable and completely dangerous” and required vessels to coordinate with the country.
