1 Filipino crew of seized MSC Aries released

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Friday that a Filipino crew of the seized ship MSC Aries was released by Iranian authorities.

«We send our sincerest thanks to Secretary Enrique Manalo and his entire team at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who spared no efforts to secure the release of our brave seafarer,» DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a statement.

He added that the DMW, DFA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration were negotiating for the release of the other three Filipino crews of the captured vessel.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

MSC Aries, a Portuguese-flagged vessel, was seized by Iranian authorities on April 13 while passing through the Strait of Hormuz near the Gulf of Oman, alleging it was linked to Israel.

The ship has 25 crew members, including four Filipinos.