Manila: The government has confirmed that all Filipino crew members aboard two commercial vessels attacked near the Strait of Hormuz are safe, as tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated following recent military exchanges in the Gulf region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, citing a report from Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., stated that all 21 Filipino crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Ever Lovely and the 19 Filipino crewmen of the Panama-flagged oil tanker MT Kiku were unharmed after the attacks last week. MV Ever Lovely remains seaworthy and is expected to arrive in Singapore on July 5.

Castro noted during a Palace press briefing that authorities are closely monitoring the condition of the vessels and their crew. The MV Ever Lovely was reportedly struck by an Iranian one-way attack drone on June 25 while transiting the strategic waterway, leading to retaliatory airstrikes by the US on Iranian military targets. Similarly, MT Kiku was hit by another one-way drone on June 27, sparking further US retaliatory strikes against Iranian facilities near the Strait of Hormuz, as both nations accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement made earlier this month.

The DMW report highlighted that approximately 2,100 Filipino seafarers aboard 85 vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz due to increased security concerns, while around 3,800 Filipino seafarers continue to operate aboard ships in the Persian Gulf. Authorities are closely monitoring their situation as well.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical maritime corridor for global oil shipments and international commercial shipping, underlining the significance of ensuring the safety of seafarers traversing this vital passageway.