Senator Erwin Tulfo voiced his concerns on Sunday regarding a drone attack on a container vessel with Filipino seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz. This incident comes despite prior assurances from Iran that Filipino maritime workers would have safe passage through this crucial waterway. As the chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Tulfo plans to request the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to seek clarification from the Iranian government on the status of their agreement.
In a radio interview, Tulfo emphasized the need to understand the rationale behind the attack, especially since an understanding was reached last month ensuring safe passage for Filipino vessels. He intends to ask DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro to confirm with the Iranian Embassy whether this promise still holds. The Department of Migrant Workers reported that seven Filipino crew members aboard the CMA CGM San Antonio were injured in the attack, with three currently in intensive care in a nearby hospital.
Tulfo highlighted the plight of several Filipino seafarers who remain stranded in the region following the incident. He stressed the importance of obtaining clear answers from Iran to ensure the safety of Filipino seamen navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is vital for global shipping, particularly for oil and commercial cargo, and ongoing regional tensions heighten security concerns for international vessels. As of now, the DFA has not provided an official response to Tulfo’s request for clarification from Iran.
