DFA: 18 Filipino crew members of seized tanker in Gulf of Oman back in PH

All the 18 Filipino crew members of the oil tanker that was seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman in January have safely returned to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the DFA said that the Filipino seafarers who were aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker St. Nikolas were repatriated in batches, including the final group of six who arrived in the Philippines last week.

“The Philippine Government thanks the authorities of Iran for their understanding in this matter, and appreciates the work of the manning agency which made this possible,” the DFA said. 

On January 11, Iran seized the oil tanker which was carrying Iraqi crude destined for Turkey. It was the same ship that was previously confiscated by the United States for carrying oil to Iran amid the sanctions imposed at that time.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega earlier said that for the Iranian government, the seizure of the oil tanker was legal and in accordance with their laws. —Giselle Ombay/KBK, GMA Integrated News