ONE Filipino seafarer has died and another sustained injuries following an attack on a Marshall Islands‑flagged tanker in the Persian Gulf this week, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed Saturday.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac identified the vessel as the MT Velos Sapphire, which was struck by an unidentified projectile shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, sparking a fire aboard the ship. Twenty‑two Filipino crew members were on board at the time of the incident.
Cacdac reported that of the 22 Filipinos, one lost his life, another is receiving medical treatment for injuries, and the remaining 20 are safe and accounted for. Authorities have not yet determined whether the object that hit the ship was a drone or a missile, though the vessel’s management has stated it believes the incident was a missile strike. The DMW is coordinating closely with the ship’s operator and international authorities to establish the full circumstances of the attack and ensure the welfare and repatriation of the crew members.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions across the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping has faced increased threats and disruptions in recent weeks. The Philippine government has reiterated its call for the safety of all seafarers traversing vital international waterways and is monitoring the situation closely to provide timely assistance to the victims’ families and affected crew members. Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.
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