MANILA (UCAN): A global seafarers’ group has joined the Philippine government and rights organisations in demanding the release of 15 Filipino seafarers held by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps amid the Middle East conflict.
Edwin dela Cruz, a lawyer and president of the International Seafarers Action Centre [ISAC], said the global community, including the United States, should intervene for the release of the sailors.
“We are united in our call for the immediate repatriation of the affected seafarers, and for President [Ferdinand] Marcos to enforce the agreement for their safe return to the Philippines,” dela Cruz said on April 24.
He appealed to the Iranian forces not to harm the 15 Filipino sailors aboard two container ships intercepted as they attempted to exit the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our second appeal is for the shipping company owners to temporarily stop their passage [through] the Strait of Hormuz. The lives of our Filipino seafarers are far more important than money,” dela Cruz said.
ISAC offers vital support services, legal assistance, counselling, and educational programmes aimed at empowering maritime workers.
Dela Cruz also appealed to US president, Donald Trump, to remove the naval blockade against Iran, saying that many innocent civilians have been caught in crossfire due to the ongoing tension in the region.
Philippine Department of Migrant Workers secretary, Hans Leo Cacdac, said the ships with 15 Filipino sailors onboard are currently in the vicinity of the Iranian coastline.
“We have been assured that all 15 seafarers are safe and unharmed. We remain in close coordination with their families, the manning agency, and ship owners, and continue to provide updates and support,” Cacdac said in a statement on April 23.
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Cacdac added that the Philippine government is taking all necessary steps to ensure the protection and welfare of the affected seafarers, while maintaining close coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine president, reported that a total of 1,161 Filipino seafarers had safely exited the Persian Gulf amid the conflict in the region.
They began their safe departure between the first week of April to April 18 aboard 22 vessels and five cruise ships, the palace said.
Meanwhile, 412 seafarers who still remain in the Persian Gulf are safe and have sufficient supplies, according to their employers, Palace spokesperson, Claire Castro, said on April 23.
Seafarers from the Philippines comprise over 25 per cent of the estimated 1.5 million sea-based workers worldwide.
Remittance from overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers, is vital for the nation’s economy.
In February, Filipino overseas workers sent home US$3.02 billion in remittances, about 2.6 per cent higher than the amount in February 2025, according to the Philippine central bank.
