MANILA — Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have now affected 421 Filipino seafarers aboard 31 vessels since February 28, with the latest assault on a Saudi-flagged oil tanker killing two Filipinos and raising the death toll to three, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
The latest fatalities were among 16 Filipino crew members aboard the crude oil tanker SIDR, which was struck by unidentified projectiles Monday night while sailing through the strategic waterway.
The attack triggered a fire onboard, which the Filipino crew managed to contain. Two seafarers, however, were killed.
“There were 16 Filipino seafarers on board. Unfortunately, mayroon tayong dalawang tripulante na nasawi as a result of the attack. Nagkaroon ng fire sa barko at na-contain ng ating magigiting na tripulante, however may dalawang nasawi,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
The SIDR has since moved off the coast of Oman, where the remains of the two fatalities were brought ashore. The 14 surviving Filipino crew members also disembarked and are being prepared for repatriation.
“The ship is now off the coast of Oman. Ibinaba na sa Oman yung dalawang labi ng ating kababayan at sunod na rin bumaba ng barko yung 14 na unharmed, buhay, at isinasaayos ang pagpapauwi ng 16, kasama na dun ‘yung dalawa nating kababayan na nasawi,” Cacdac said.
Bahri, the vessel’s operator, confirmed that the SIDR, with IMO number 9854715, was involved in a security incident at around 11:40 p.m. local time Monday while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The company expressed condolences over the deaths and said it was assisting the victims’ families and the surviving crew while coordinating with authorities and maritime organizations.
The Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Oman are coordinating with local authorities to facilitate the return of the 14 survivors and the remains of the two fatalities.
“Oman is the closest embassy and migrant workers office that we have off the coast of the Strait of Hormuz,” Cacdac said.
The DMW is also reaching out to the families of the fatalities, with Cacdac saying he would personally visit them upon the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I myself, based on the directive of the President, will make personal visits to the families in the next 48 hours,” Cacdac said. “At this stage, it’s important to reach out to the families, and we’re currently doing that.”
Authorities have yet to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“Usually when we are still 48, 24 to 48 hours removed from the event, hindi pa kumpleto ang detalye. We will find out the details as we go along,” Cacdac said.
The latest attack underscores the mounting risks confronting Filipino seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains under the DMW’s red alert classification and is considered a high-risk, war-like zone.
DMW figures showed that 31 vessels carrying 421 Filipino seafarers have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz since February 28.
Of the 421 seafarers affected, 406 escaped unharmed while 10 were injured but later recovered. Three have died and one remains officially missing. Around 268 Filipino seafarers have already been repatriated to the Philippines.
Cacdac reiterated the government’s call for shipowners to avoid the Strait of Hormuz whenever possible and impose stringent security measures when Filipino seafarers are deployed aboard vessels passing through the area.
These measures include comprehensive risk assessments, security procedures, possible escorts, armed protection and established reporting systems.
Filipino seafarers must also be given the choice to refuse deployment on vessels that will transit the dangerous waterway.
“Granting a seafarer the option whether or not to set sail on board a ship that crosses the Strait of Hormuz,” Cacdac said.
Bahri said the safety and welfare of its personnel remain its top priority and pledged to maintain strict safety, security and environmental standards.
The Philippine government, meanwhile, is working to repatriate the 14 surviving Filipino seafarers, bring home the remains of the two fatalities and provide assistance to their bereaved families./PN
