President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered concerned government agencies to provide immediate assistance to the families of two Filipino seafarers who died following a security incident in the Strait of Hormuz, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Thursday.
In a press briefing, Castro said Marcos extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the two seafarers.
“Unang-una po, nakikiramay po ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon sa pamilya ng dalawang seafarer mula sa Cabuyao, Laguna at Daanbantayan, Cebu,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
“At nag-utos na po ang Pangulo, agad-agad na tulungan ang mga pamilya ng dalawa nating kababayan na nasawi at ibigay lahat ng kailangan nila pati ang benepisyo, compensation, insurance proceeds na naaangkop na dapat ibigay sa ating kababayan na nasawi,“ she added.
“Hindi po pababayaan ng gobyerno, ng pamahalaan, ‘yung naiwan ng dalawang nating kababayan,” she continued.
Earlier, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the vessel carrying 16 Filipino seafarers was struck by projectiles that remain unidentified, triggering a fire that was later contained by the crew.
The two fatalities have been brought to Oman, while the 14 surviving Filipino seafarers are safe and awaiting their return flight home with assistance from Omani authorities.
