In a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 2024 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Uganda, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo appealed for the release of 18 Filipino seafarers onboard a detained vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
Manalo took the opportunity to communicate this request when he met with First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber of Iran. “We had a candid exchange on geopolitical issues and the safety & welfare of PH seafarers,” the Philippine top diplomat posted on X (formerly Twitter) Monday night.
“I likewise asked for the release of the 18 PH seafarers currently aboard the detained ST Nikolas, and requested that Iran continue to grant consular access to our Embassy in Tehran, and allow regular contact between the seafarers and their families back home,” Manalo added.
The government of Iran earlier released a Greek crew member of the seized oil tanker (formerly named Suez Rajan) last Jan. 18, according to an AFP report. The ship was carrying 145,000 tons of oil from Iraq and was heading toward Turkey when it was seized by the Iranian Navy on Jan. 11.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jose de Vega earlier said they remain in touch with the Iranian government, which promised to extend assistance via its Embassy in Manila, as regards the situation of the 18 seafarers.
Meanwhile, Manalo also noted in his meeting with Mokhber the potential to grow trade relations between Philippines and Iran. Manila established its diplomatic ties with Tehran in 1964.