MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen Filipino seafarers aboard the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat are returning to the Philippines after the vessel was damaged during an incident in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA said the Filipino crew members were safely repatriated after the vessel was struck by a projectile and caught fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on July 6.

Following the incident, the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Muscat immediately provided assistance to the affected seafarers. A rapid response team coordinated with the ship\'s management to confirm the crew\'s safety and ensure they received food, medical checkups, and communication access to contact their families.

Philippine Labor Attaché to Muscat Alice Visperas said the priority remains the safety and well-being of the Filipino seafarers, adding that authorities are working closely with the vessel\'s owners to support their protection, monitor their condition, and facilitate their return to the Philippines.

The DFA also said the Philippine Embassy and the MWO continue to monitor the security situation in the region and provide assistance to overseas Filipino workers as needed.

Meanwhile, the Qatari government has stated that it holds Iran legally responsible for the attack, describing the incident as a serious threat to international navigation and global energy security.