By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Describing the 18 Filipino seafarers onboard an American oil tanker as “collateral damage” after they were recently seized by Iran’s navy, a top official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said the Iranian Embassy in Manila has promised the Philippine government assistance to ensure the safety and immediate release.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo De Vega said the 18 Filipino crewmen onboard an American oil tanker who were seized by Iran Navy off the coast of Oman last Thursday (January 11) were only “collateral damage” but somehow safe.
“Hindi sila kinuhang hostage, ibang situation ito kasi ang tinarget ng Iranians [ay] ‘yong bapor mismo, so in a way collateral damage ‘yong crew. So we’re confident that hindi sila sasaktan at in time papakawalan na rin ‘yan,” De Vega said.
The incident brought to 35 the number of Filipino seafarers abducted in sea jackings after 17 Filipino seafarers were seized by Iran-backed Houthi rebels who began threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea last November.
De Vega added that the DFA is in touch with the Iranian ambassador to the Philippines, while the Philippine envoy in Tehran is also reaching out to local authorities.
The DFA official said there is no indication so far that the Filipinos are being harmed or mistreated.
Iran has confirmed the sea jacking purportedly to retaliate for the “theft” of its oil from the same tanker last year by the United States.
(el Amigo/MNM)
