MANILA, Philippines — Fourteen Filipino seafarers who survived an attack on the Saudi-flagged oil tanker M/V Sidr in the Strait of Hormuz have safely returned to the Philippines.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the 14 overseas Filipino workers arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on the evening of September 8, where they were welcomed by officials from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The seafarers were among the Filipino crew members aboard the vessel when it was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on August 31.
However, the homecoming was also marked by tragedy.
Two other Filipino seafarers aboard the M/V Sidr died following the attack, and the government is still making arrangements for the repatriation of their remains.
Government Promises Full Support
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured the returning seafarers that the government would provide immediate assistance as they recover from the ordeal.
The support includes medical assistance, psychosocial intervention and the processing of benefits available under DMW and OWWA programs.
Cacdac said the government’s priority was ensuring that the seafarers could safely return to their families after being caught in the escalating conflict affecting the Middle East.
“The President has instructed us to ensure that we give you our full support,” Cacdac said.
He assured the returning seafarers that they would receive the assistance and benefits they are entitled to.
DMW to Probe Manning Agency
The DMW will also investigate the seafarers’ manning agency to determine whether their right to refuse deployment to high-risk areas may have been violated.
The inquiry could focus on whether the Filipino crew members were properly informed about the risks of sailing through areas affected by the conflict and whether their rights under Philippine laws and regulations were fully protected.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, making any attack on commercial vessels a major concern for international trade and the thousands of Filipino seafarers working aboard ships worldwide.
A Safe Return After a Deadly Attack
For the 14 Filipino seafarers, arriving home brought an end to a terrifying ordeal at sea.
But for the families of the two crew members who died, the wait continues.
The Philippine government is now working to bring home their remains while providing assistance to their families.
The incident has also renewed concerns over the safety of Filipino seafarers deployed to conflict zones and other high-risk maritime areas.
With thousands of Filipinos working aboard international vessels, the government faces continued pressure to ensure that seafarers are fully protected — especially when global conflicts threaten some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
For now, 14 Filipino seafarers are finally back on Philippine soil.
But the tragedy aboard the M/V Sidr serves as another painful reminder of the dangers faced by Filipino workers at sea.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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