4 Pinoy seafarers sakay ng container ship binihag ng Iran

KINUMPIRMA ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) na kabilang ang apat na Filipino seafarers sa mga tripulanteng sakay ng barko na nadakip ng mga awtoridad ng Iran nitong Linggo.

Ang nasabing barko ay ang container ship na MSC Aries.

Ibinahagi ni DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac na nakikipag-ugnayan na ang ahensiya sa mga pamilya ng mga nadakip na tripulante.

“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,” saad ng 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,” ani pa nito.

Ayon sa mga ulat, isang Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps helicopter ang sumakay sa Portuges-flagged MSC Aries at dinala ito sa Iranian water noong Sabado, iniulat ng state-run IRNA news agency ng Iran.

“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 ulat.

“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 nito.

Ang insidenteng ito ang nagtulak kay Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz na akusahan ang Iran ng piracy.