A Filipino seafarer died while 21 others survived after a tanker carrying 22 Filipino crew members came under attack in the Persian Gulf on Nov. 5, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Monday.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed the incident involving the Veloz Sapphire, describing it as the first reported ship attack in the Persian Gulf.
Cacdac disclosed the incident in an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City after returning from the fourth leg of the Serbisyo Caravan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Nakapag-monitor na rin tayo ng sitwasyon habang nandoon doon tayo, nasa Gulf tayo at sa kasawiang palad ay noong Nov. 5, madaling araw inatake ang isang barko. Hindi sa Strait of Hormuz, hindi sa Red Sea, kundi sa Persian Gulf. First time ito na may inataking barko sa Persian Gulf,” he said.
The tanker had 22 Filipino seafarers on board when it was attacked. Twenty-one have been declared safe, while one died, Cacdac said.
“’Yung tanker na Veloz Sapphire na inatake. Twenty-two Filipino seafarers on board. Twenty-one now declared safe and sound. However, mayroon tayo isang kababayan namatay, nasawi sa pag atake. And rest assured we are assisting his family,” he said.
The vessel has reached a safe port, while authorities are preparing to repatriate the remains of the deceased seafarer. The 21 surviving crew members are also receiving assistance for their return to the Philippines.
Cacdac said the government is extending support to the bereaved family in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide all possible assistance.
“I personally conveyed the President’s condolences and assurances of support to the family,” he said, adding that he would visit the family at their home in the province.
The DMW is also seeking security assessments from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense to determine whether the attack was isolated or could signal further threats to vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Cacdac said the government would consider preventive measures if the security situation in the area deteriorates to protect Filipino seafarers from further harm.
“Once madamay na ang buong Persian Gulf sa sitwasyon, we will definitely take preventive action para wala nang tripulante natin na masaktan o mamatay,” he said.
📷 The Atlantic
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