Kinumpirma ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) nitong Linggo na may apat na Filipino seafarers na kabilang sa mga crew na sakay ng container ship na kinubkob ng Iran.
Sa post sa X, dating Twitter, tinukoy ni DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac, na ang naturang barko ay ang MSC Aries.
"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," ayon sa 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," sabi pa ng opisyal.
Sa panayam sa Super Radyo dzBB nitong Linggo, sinabi ni Cacdac, na nakikipag-ugnayan siya sa labor attaché sa Tel Aviv at kay Philippine Ambassador to Iran Roberto G. Manalo.
Ayon sa Reuters, batay sa ulat ng state-run IRNA news agency ng Iran, sumakay sa Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries na naglalayag sa karagatan ng Iran, ang mga tauhan ng Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps na nagmula sa helicopter noong Sabado.
"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 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 nito.
Tinawag ni Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz na piracy ang ginawa ng Iran sa pagkubkob sa barko.
Umaasa si Cacdac na pakakawan din kaagad ng Iran ang mga bihag.
"Meron nang similar na pangyayari three months ago kung saan nakalaya din ang mga seafarer," sabi ni Cacdac sa dzBB. —FRJ, GMA Integrated News
