DMW: Condition of Filipino seafarer hurt in Iran drone attack is improving

One of three Filipino seafarers confined under intensive care after their container ship was attacked by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz is now able to breathe on his own, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

In a virtual press briefing on Sunday night, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Filipino crew member’s condition has improved, although all three are still in an intensive care unit (ICU) of an undisclosed hospital.

“Apat (Four) are relatively minor cases, injuries as a result of the drone attack on May 5th in the Strait of Hormuz. The three who are in ICU, the good news is – the worst case, was somebody who was intubated, has improved,” Cacdac said.

“So extubated na siya ngayon (he is now extubated) and could breathe on his own. All of them have stable vital signs. Even they are in the ICU, all of them have stable vital signs,” he added.

A labor attaché and an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) welfare officer visited the three Filipino seafarers to check on their condition in the ICU.

Last week, the DMW confirmed that seven Filipino crew members of a container ship were injured after the vessel was attacked by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

Cacdac said three of the seven injured Filipino seafarers of the CMA CGM San Antonio are confined in the ICU of an undisclosed hospital.

In April, Iran assured the Philippine government that Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments, and Filipino seafarers would be granted safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict.

On Sunday, Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said he would clarify with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the status of the agreement with Iran. — JMA, GMA News