MANILA, Philippines – Kinumpirma ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) na apat na Filipino seafarers ay kabilang sa mga crew na sakay ng barko na hinarang ng Iranian authorities.
Ang nasabing barko ay container ship MSC Aries , ayon kay DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac sa kanyang pahayag na ibinahagi sa X.
“Upon the directive of the President, we are in touch with the families of our dear seafarers and have assured them of full government support and assistance,” sabi ng DMW.
“We are also in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the licensed manning agency, ship manager and operator, to ensure the safety and well-being, as well as work on the release, of our dear seafarers,” dagdag pa.
Isang Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps helicopter ang sumakay sa MSC Aries na may bandera ng Portugal at dinala ito sa karagatan ng Iran noong Sabado, iniulat ng state-run IRNA news agency ng Iran, ayon sa Reuters
“MSC, which operates the Aries, confirmed Iran had seized the ship and said it was working ‘with the relevant authorities’ for its safe return and the wellbeing of its 25 crew,” ayon sa report ng Reuters.
“MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all the vessel’s activities. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer,” dagdag pa.
Ang insidenteng ito ang nagtulak kay Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz na akusahan ang Iran ng piracy. Jocelyn Tabangcura-Domenden
