MALACAÑANG said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered concerned government agencies to extend assistance to the families of the two Filipino seafarers killed when their ship was attacked while sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz.
The seamen, who were on board the Saudi-flagged crude carrier Sidr, died when the ship, operated by Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company Bahri, was hit by unknown projectiles about 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, on Aug. 31.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing Thursday the president condoled with the seafarers’ families, who were from Cabuyao, Laguna, and Daanbantayan, Cebu.
The Philippine Embassy in Iran earlier said it has completed the repatriation of 15 Filipino seafarers from the two vessels seized by the Iranian military in April 2026.
Ten Filipinos were from the MV Epaminondas, and five from the MV MSC Francesca.
The embassy facilitated the repatriation of four Filipinos aboard the MSC Francesca, who requested assistance amid the prolonged situation at sea and the continuing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
"The seafarers arrived in the Philippines on Aug. 27 and have since been reunited with their families," the embassy posted on Facebook.
Following the deaths of the two Filipino seafarers, Senate President Win Gatchalian called on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to strictly enforce safety protocols for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in high-risk areas.
He urged the DMW to ensure that the seafarers’ families and surviving Filipino crew members receive all necessary assistance.
“The turmoil in the Middle East is not over yet, so the government must ensure the safety of all OFWs in the region, including Filipino seafarers,” he said.
Gatchalian called for strict safety protocols in countries and areas classified as high-risk.
He underscored the need for government agencies to remain prepared to respond to emergencies involving Filipino workers overseas, particularly those caught in armed attacks or other security incidents.
Gatchalian said the tanker attack highlights the risks faced by Filipino seafarers, who make up a significant portion of the global maritime workforce.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo also urged the DMW to ensure the safety and protection of Filipino seafarers following the tanker attack.
Tulfo expressed his sadness over the incident and said his office is coordinating with the DMW to ensure the safety and welfare of the Filipinos who survived.
"We will work to ensure that they are repatriated as soon as possible and provided with all the necessary assistance, as well as the families of our fellow Filipinos who died," Tulfo said.
He called on the DMW to ensure that manning agencies and shipping companies respect and enforce the seafarers’ "Right to Refuse Sailing" in high-risk areas such as the Strait of Hormuz without putting their entitlements and benefits at risk.
The Senate Committee on Migrant Workers had previously taken up the safety of Filipino seafarers following attacks and hijackings in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Hormuz strait.
In May, the DMW told Tulfo’s committee that nearly 1,000 Filipino seafarers exercised their right to refuse sailing and that their decisions had been honored.
The hearing followed a drone attack near Hormuz that injured seven Filipino seafarers aboard the MV San Antonio.
Tulfo said the DMW had also committed to requiring manning agencies and shipowners to comply with security assessment protocols, reporting requirements, and other safeguards before sending Filipino-crewed vessels into high-risk areas.
He said seafarers should also give informed consent and be properly briefed on the security risks they face before boarding and sailing.
