11 Pinoy seafarers arrive in Manila after tanker attack

MANILA, Philippines — Eleven Filipino seafarers have arrived in Manila after their ship and another vessel were damaged during suspected attacks off the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf last week blamed by the United States on Iran.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the 11 Filipino seafarers of MT Front Altair arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday morning. 

The oil tanker Front Altair is one of two vessels damaged during attacks off the Strait of Hormuz last June 13. 

The Norwegian-owned Front Altair and the Japanese-owned chemical tanker Kokuka Courageous were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Shipping news site Tradewinds said Front Altair, a tanker operated by Norwegian shipping company Frontline, was hit by a torpedo.

Japan’s ministry of economy and trade said the attacked tankers carried “Japan-related cargo.”

The US blamed Iran, based in part on intelligence, for the suspected attacks on the two vessels near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Washington denounced the attacks and called it a campaign of escalating tensions in a region crucial to global energy supplies.

Iran called the accusations baseless.

European foreign ministers urged restraint in directing blame over the alleged attack on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.