The three remaining Filipino seafarers from the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, seized last April, have been freed by the Iranian authorities, the Philippines presidential communications office reported on Saturday, citing information from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
During a Saturday news forum in Quezon City, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, announced that the seafarers have already returned home.
“Ang magandang ulat dito, hindi lang namin inanunsiyo pero quietly iyong tatlo na natira doon sa MSC Aries, that was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard sa Strait of Hormuz ay nakauwi na – nakauwi na silang tatlo,” Cacdac said.
(We just didn’t announce it but the three remaining crew members from the MSC Aries, which was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz, have been returned home),” said DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac.
The official noted the three seafarers arrived home on Thursday. “Iyong tatlo nakauwi kamakailan lamang…noong mga Huwebes,” he said.
Its worth reminding that the Portuguese-flagged vessel MSC Aries was seized by the Iranian authorities on April 13 this year while traversing the Strait of Hormuz, near the Gulf of Oman.
The vessel had 25 crew members on board, including four Filipinos. One of the Filipino seafarers was released in May.
