Four Filipino crew members of the vessel that was hit by a projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz have recently arrived in the Philippines.
The Department of Migrant Workers said on Monday, July 20, that the Filipinos who were on board the Marshall Islands-flagged M/V GFS Galaxy when it was struck on July 12 arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on July 19.
They were on board Emirates Flight EK336.
Upon their arrival, the DMW said they were welcomed by representatives of the department and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), who provided immediate assistance, including financial aid.
The Filipinos were then turned over to their manning agency, JDA Inter-Phil Maritime Services Corp, the DMW said.
In its statement, the DMW reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipino maritime workers especially amid tensions in the Middle East.
"The DMW continues to work closely with the licensed manning agency and other Philippine government offices to ensure that affected Filipino seafarers receive the necessary assistance and support," the DMW said.
Based on information provided by the DMW, the July 12 incident claimed the life of the ship's Third Engineer and left its Chief Engineer injured.
The four Filipino crew members were unharmed, the DMW said, quoting their manning agency.
They were subsequently temporarily accommodated in Khasab, Oman before being transferred to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The DMW said this is where representatives of the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai visited them to coordinate the assistance needed for their safe return to the Philippines.
