THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday confirmed the safety of over 400 Filipino seafarers in the Persian Gulf amid the US-Israel and Iran war.
In a Facebook post, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said he discussed their safety with representatives of an offshore company in Saudi Arabia, which employs 412 Filipino seafarers within the region.
“We have been assured that all 412 [Filipino] seafarers are safe and have adequate supplies on board,” Mr. Cacdac said.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Mr. Cacdac said the seafarers will continue to work for the Zamil Offshore, which is among Saudi Arabia’s leading marine service providers.
A total of 1,161 seafarers has already exited the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz from April 2 to 18, including the 800 Filipinos aboard five cruise ships.
Mr. Cacdac said two ships boarded by 15 Filipinos have been seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, but Iranian authorities also assured the safety of the seafarers.
As of April 23, the DMW also reported that they have so far repatriated 7,408 Filipinos from the Middle East (ME), with 6,785 repatriations funded by the government since March 5. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
