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Christine Boton - The Philippine Star
April 20, 2026 | 12:00am
The seafarers were received by officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), who facilitated the provision of financial assistance in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Rudy Santos
MANILA, Philippines — Ten Filipino crew members of the motor tanker MT Aqua 1 have returned to the country, arriving last Friday on a Malaysia Airlines flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City.
The seafarers were received by officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), who facilitated the provision of financial assistance in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The DMW said the crew’s return was made possible through coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), along with the vessel’s shipowner and its manning agency in the Philippines.
“Various government programs are also in place to support their reintegration, including free training, livelihood assistance and re-employment facilitation,” the DMW said.
The MT Aqua 1 was previously reported to be about 17 nautical miles north of the Ras Laffan Industrial Hub in Qatar when it was struck by a cruise missile launched from Iran on April 1, causing a fire onboard. The crew contained the blaze.
No injuries were reported among the 21 Filipino crew members aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, according to authorities.
37 OFWs repatriated
Amid Middle East tensions, 37 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Lebanon and Israel have safely returned to the country as part of separate government-assisted repatriation efforts.
Fifteen OFWs from Lebanon arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR 932. The group was received by government officials under the repatriation assistance program, which includes financial and medical aid for returning workers.
In a separate arrival, 22 OFWs from Israel also returned to the Philippines via a commercial flight. The group, composed of caregivers and hotel workers, was transported from Israel to Egypt before boarding their flight home.
The repatriation efforts were coordinated by the DMW, OWWA, Migrant Workers Office and the DFA, with assistance from Philippine diplomatic posts in Lebanon and Israel.
Upon arrival, the returning OFWs were provided initial assistance, while reintegration programs were prepared, including training, livelihood support and employment facilitation.
