SEIZED FILIPINOS TO BE RELEASED SOON BY IRAN

The four Filipino crew members seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz are about to be freed. According to Foreign Under Secretary Eduardo de Vega, he has spoken with the Iran embassy and assured that the crew on board the captured ship will be released as soon as possible.

Iran seized a container ship involving Filipinos (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

“The Iranian embassy here told me so far, they will be released very soon, all of them, not just the four Filipinos, but let’s see if it will come true and we will push for it,” De Vega said.

The four Filipinos are in good condition and have allowed to talk to their families. Each of the four was given a chance to contact and give a call their family for an hour. Meaning they are not treated as prisoners like hostage.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers, the Filipinos are still on board the container ship MSC Aries and is now docked at the port of Iran. 

Since Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza began fighting more than six months ago, tensions in the region have escalated.

The ship’s seizure was initially referred to as ‘piracy” by the United States and Israel. Furthermore, Israel has insisted that the European Union declared the guards as a “terrorist organization.

De Vega stated that the seizure of the vessel could result in seamen receiving hazard pay if their vessels operate in the vicinity. He did rejected the request that the Philippines prohibit the deployment of seamen in the area.

Source: David Dizon/ABS-CBN News

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