3K Filipino seafarers still stranded at Strait of Hormuz —DMW

Around 3,000 Filipino seafarers are still at the Strait of Hormuz, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac said Thursday.

“The good news din sa kanila, ‘yung mga naiwan sa loob, is may adequate supply sila. We are monitoring on a 24/7 basis through their licensed manning agencies and shippowners,” Cacdac said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(The good news for those who remain on board is that they have an adequate supply of provisions. We are monitoring the situation 24/7 through their licensed manning agencies and shipowners.)

Cacdac clarified that the seafarers are not being held hostage.

“Hindi po sila nakatengga doon or idle, held hostage or ano pa man. Sila ay naninilbihan, patuloy ang pag-gawad sa kanilang mga benepisyo at sweldo sa kanilang mga pamilya,” he said.

(They are not idle, being held hostage, or anything of that sort. They continue to perform their duties, and their salaries and benefits continue to be provided to their families.)

“Their ships continue to be seaworthy, pwedeng-pwede maglayag, hindi sila nalalagay sa alanganin o panganib bagamat nasa loob sila sa Persian Gulf,” he added.

(Their ships continue to be seaworthy and are fully capable of sailing. They are not being placed in danger or at risk, even though they remain in the Persian Gulf.)

Exit

Cacdac, meanwhile, said that 3,718 Filipino seafarers have exited the Strait of Hormuz.

“Marami na nakalabas pero meron pa rin malaking bilang na naiiwan at representing around 400 ships ‘yung tatlong libong tripulante,” he said.

(Many have already been able to leave, but a significant number remain, with around 3,000 crew members aboard approximately 400 ships.)

He said that two ships carrying 15 seafarers each were able to exit on July 6 and July 7 but were attacked.

“Ang good news sa kanila ay naatake, yes, ‘yung kanilang barko, pero nakalabas, no, nakalabas ng Strait of Hormuz. Pero sa ngayon, sarada muli— nagbabalak muli na lumabas ng Strait of Hormuz ang mga barko,” he said.

(The good news for them is that although their ship was attacked, it was able to exit the Strait of Hormuz. But for now, it is closed again, and the ships are preparing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz once more.) —Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA News