2 Philippine seafarers on drone-hit ship back home

MANILA, Philippines — Two of the seven Filipino crew members injured in a drone attack on the MV San Antonio in the Strait of Hormuz have returned to the Philippines, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

The DMW said the seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on May 15.

DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina and director Augusto San Diego III, together with personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, welcomed the seafarers upon their arrival.

The returning seafarers received initial financial aid from the government.

According to the DMW, the repatriation was arranged by the shipowner and the licensed manning agency in coordination with the Philippine embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Oman.

Pampolina said the government would continue to provide medical and psychological assistance to the seafarers as they recover.

The DMW has yet to release additional details regarding the condition of the five injured seafarers.