DMW coordinating with agency of Filipino crew in seized oil tanker

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is coordinating with the manning agency of the Filipino crew of the oil tanker that was seized in the Gulf of Oman, officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said Friday.

There were 18 Filipinos among the crew of the tanker St. Nikolas.

“We are currently in talks and coordinating with the licensed manning agency,” Cacdac said in a Zoom briefing.

Cacdac said they are still waiting for updates on the status of the ship.

He said they are also coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“And lastly, we are also beginning to reach out to the families of the 18 seafarers,” Cacdac said.

“This is the info that we have at this stage. There will be further announcements along these lines. And we look toward our colleagues at the DFA as well, no, to take the lead in terms of the developments that are unfolding,” he added.

No link

There is no link between the Houthi holding hostage the crew of the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea and the more recent detention by Iran of an oil tanker in waters off Oman, the Department of Foreign Affairs migrant workers affairs office has said.

Filipino crew members are among those being held in both incidents.

"Technically, no, kasi ang Humana ng sa Yemen, mga Houthi, internal 'yun. 'Yung Iran eh hindi nila hino-hostage yung crew men, eh. Kinukuha lang nila yung ship dahil officially nag i-intrude daw sa Iran waters," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said.

De Vega said there is still no official statement from the Iranian foreign ministry to the Philippine embassy in Iram.

The embassy in Iran has informed the Office of the Undersecretary on Migrant Workers Affairs that Iran has in the past detained ships and oil tankers but eventually released their crew. 

The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Iran are described as positive and stable. —with a report from JP Soriano/LDF/NB, GMA Integrated News