Seventeen Filipino crew members of the Liberia-flagged MV Minoan Dignity that was recently attacked along the Strait of Hormuz are set to return home.
The Department of Migrant Workers said the Migrant Workers Office team also continues to coordinate with the Omani authorities, the shipowner, and its local agent to facilitate the earliest possible repatriation of the remains of the Filipino seafarer who lost his life in the incident off the coast of Khasab, Musandam.
The 17 seafarers who survived are expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 10:10 PM on August 21.
The DMW said they would have traveled from Khasab to Muscat on August 20 before l their Emirates Airlines flight to the Philippines.
According to the DMW, the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the MWO also extended cash assistance to the seafarers.
It said the MWO also continues to work closely with the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, the Omani authorities, and the shipowner and its local agent to "ensure that the affected Filipino seafarers and the family of the deceased seafarer receive the necessary assistance."
“In line with the directive of DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, MWO-Muscat continues to ensure that affected Filipino seafarers receive immediate assistance, protection, and support from the time of the incident until their safe repatriation to the Philippines,” Labor Attaché Alice Visperas said.
Reports said MV Minoan Dignity was transiting the Strait when a projectile struck the vessel on Aug. 17.
The vessel's Filipino chief engineer was killed in the attack that damaged the vessel's machinery space and started a fire.
