2,500 Pinoy seafarers stranded in Persian Gulf

MANILA, Philippines — Around 2,500 Filipino seafarers are still stranded in the Persian Gulf as the Middle East war between the US and Iran flared up anew. 

The Filipinos are part of the 6,000 international seafarers remaining in the Gulf, according to the International Maritime Organization.

The IMO tried to evacuate several vessels along the Oman coast, but the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on the ships, resulting in the deaths of Indian seamen. 

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is monitoring the situation in the Persian Gulf.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that 2,500 Filipino seafarers were unable to cross the Strait of Hormuz. 

Cacdac said ship owners continue to supply the seafarers with provisions such as food, water and fuel.

The salaries of the seafarers are remitted to their beneficiaries, and crew replacements for those with expired contracts are implemented by the manning agencies, the DMW said. 

US President Donald Trump canceled the ceasefire last week amid renewed attacks by Iran on ships attempting to cross Hormuz.