MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo is seeking clarification from the Iranian government following a drone attack on a Maltese-flagged container ship carrying 24 Filipino seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, raised concerns over the incident during a radio interview on Saturday after seven crew members were injured, including three who remain in critical condition. The attack is suspected to have come from Iran.

“We want to understand why Iran attacked this vessel, considering we reached an understanding with them last month allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Tulfo stated.

The senator said he would ask Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro to coordinate with the Iranian Embassy regarding the status of the earlier agreement on the safe passage of Filipino seafarers.

“I will ask DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro to ask the Iranian Embassy if the promise of safe passage for Filipinos in Strait of Hormuz is still valid,” he said.

Tulfo noted that the arrangement made with Iran last month enabled more than 1,000 Filipino seafarers to safely pass through the strategic waterway.

“We are thankful to the Republic of Iran because the said agreement sealed last month, paved the way for over 1,000 Filipino seafarers to safely pass through the said waterway,” he said.

Following the May 5 attack, Tulfo said many Filipino seafarers remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as uncertainty continues over their safety.

According to the senator, Lazaro is set to meet with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh this week to determine whether the safe passage agreement remains in effect.

“We need a clear answer from the Iranian government on whether it is still safe for Filipino seamen to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. This is vital so we can properly advise our maritime workers,” Tulfo explained.

Tulfo also reiterated his appeal for parties involved in the Middle East conflict to return to negotiations and work toward maintaining peace in the region.