Foreign Secretary Manalo Urges Release of 18 Filipino Seafarers from Detained Vessel in Iran
During a meeting with Iran’s 1st Vice President Mohammed Makber at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Uganda, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo requested the release of 18 Filipino seafarers currently aboard a detained vessel in the Gulf of Oman. The seafarers have been held since their tanker, carrying Iraqi crude bound for Turkey, was seized by Iran on Jan. 11.
Manalo also asked Iran to grant consular access to the Philippine Embassy in Tehran and allow regular contact between the seafarers and their families back home. In a post on X, Manalo stated that he and Makber also discussed the potential to grow trade relations between the Philippines and Iran.
The meeting between Manalo and Makber also featured discussions on geopolitical issues, reflecting a candid exchange on matters beyond the welfare of the Filipino seafarers. The Filipino government continues to advocate for the speedy and safe release of the detained seafarers.
