The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 15 Filipino seafarers aboard two vessels seized by Iranian authorities near the Strait of Hormuz are safe and unharmed.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Philippine government has intensified monitoring of maritime conditions in the Persian Gulf following the incident.
“We have a case of two ships… seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. One ship has 10 Filipino seafarers… the Epaminondas, and the second ship, the MSC Francesca, has five Filipino seafarers,” Cacdac said.
He added that both vessels are now along the Iranian coastline and under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“We have been assured that all 15 Filipino seafarers are safe, unharmed… and it will be a matter of time for their ships to be cleared,” he said.
The MV Epaminondas, a Liberia-flagged vessel, reportedly sustained heavy damage to its bridge after being fired upon by an Iranian gunboat. Meanwhile, the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca suffered damage to its hull and bridge and was forced to drop anchor.
Iranian authorities said the ships were seized for “operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems.”
Cacdac said the DMW is coordinating closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as manning agencies and shipowners, while awaiting updates on the vessels’ status and a possible timeline for their release. He noted that similar incidents in the past have eventually been resolved.
The seizure comes amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf linked to the ongoing United States–Israel–Iran conflict.
Thousands of Filipino seafarers continue to operate in the region, a critical global shipping route. Authorities are using marine traffic systems to track vessel movements and ensure the safety of Filipino crew members, while maintaining communication with employers and those onboard.
The DMW also assured that it is in contact with the families of the affected seafarers, providing regular updates and support.
