Ten Filipino seafarers have been safely repatriated to the Philippines after exercising their right to refuse to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s high-risk maritime areas.
The crew members were serving aboard the Liberian-flagged general cargo vessel Dema M and arrived back in Manila on September 4. The Philippine government recognises the right of its seafarers to decline assignments that require them to sail through areas considered particularly dangerous.
Despite the crew’s decision, the Dema M transited the Strait of Hormuz in early September. AIS tracking data from Pole Star Global showed the vessel in port in Kuwait on August 28. The ship then disappeared from tracking before reappearing on September 6 near the border between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, indicating that it had crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
The 10 Filipino crew members were welcomed at the airport by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Venecio V. Legaspi. He said the DMW and its secretary were there to demonstrate their support for the seafarers’ decision.
The repatriation comes after a deadly attack on the Bahri VLCC Sidr on August 31, in which two Filipino seafarers were killed. Following the incident, the DMW again reminded shipowners and crewing agencies of the right of Filipino seafarers to refuse deployment into high-risk areas, including the Strait of Hormuz.
Another 14 Filipino seafarers aboard the Sidr survived the attack. They remained in a hotel in Khasab, Musandam, Oman, while arrangements were made for their repatriation.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure that our seafarers are safe, cared for, and brought home to their families. No Filipino seafarer should have to face a crisis overseas alone,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac.
The case highlights the Philippine government’s continued support for seafarers who choose not to enter high-risk maritime zones, particularly as tensions and security risks remain a major concern around the Strait of Hormuz.
