President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to immediately extend financial assistance, benefits, compensation, and insurance coverage to the families of two Filipino seafarers who died in a security incident near the Strait of Hormuz, Malacañang said Thursday.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a September 3 press briefing that Marcos was informed about the incident by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
The President and his administration also expressed their condolences to the families of the two victims, who came from Cabuyao, Laguna, and Daanbantayan, Cebu. Their identities have not been publicly released.
“Ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon ay nakikiramay po sa pamilya ng dalawang seafarers,” she said.
Castro added that Marcos had ordered government offices to provide the families with all appropriate assistance and financial support.
“Nag-utos na po ang Pangulo agad-agad na tulungan ang mga pamilya ng dalawa nating kababayan na nasawi at ibigay ang lahat ng kailangan nila pati ang benepisyo, compensation, insurance proceeds na naaangkop,” she added.
According to Castro, the government would continue assisting the bereaved families, with Cacdac regularly updating the President on developments surrounding the incident.
The two fatalities were among 16 Filipino crew members aboard the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker M/V Sidr when unidentified projectiles struck the vessel while it was nearing the Strait of Hormuz late August 31, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The impact triggered a fire aboard the tanker, which the crew was able to contain. Two Filipino seafarers, however, died, while the remaining 14 crew members escaped injury and were subsequently taken to safety off Oman.
The victims’ remains have been transported to Oman. The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in the country are working with Omani authorities on arrangements for the repatriation of the surviving Filipino crew and the remains of those who died.
The DMW is likewise coordinating assistance for the surviving seafarers and the victims’ families while preparations for their return to the Philippines are underway.
The incident further increases the number of Filipino seafarers affected by attacks associated with the Strait of Hormuz. DMW records show that since February, 31 vessels carrying a combined 421 Filipino seafarers have been involved in such incidents.
Of those affected, 406 were reported unharmed, 10 sustained injuries, three died, and one remained missing. A total of 268 Filipino seafarers had already been repatriated to the Philippines, based on the department’s latest figures.
The DMW has continued to urge shipowners and manning agencies to assess risks before voyages, reinforce onboard security protocols, and respect Filipino seafarers’ right to decline deployment to areas considered highly dangerous. It has also encouraged the rerouting of vessels whenever viable.
While the government has not issued a blanket prohibition against Filipino seafarers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the DMW said it continues to closely monitor developments in the area and coordinate with maritime employers and manning agencies to safeguard Filipino crew members.