FACT CHECK: PH vessels pass through Strait of Hormuz, contrary to claim

Claim: No Philippine vessels are passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Multiple versions of this claim have been circulating online since April 3, with combined engagement reaching the thousands.

One post contains a social media card with overlaid text that reads: “Matagal nang nagbabarko nagsalita na! Walang barko ang Pinas na dumadaan sa Strait of Hormuz.”

(A long-time seafarer has spoken! No Philippine vessel passes through the Strait of Hormuz.)

The post was made following reports of Iran allowing the safe passage of all Philippine vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The post questions the deal, stating, “Sa unang tingin, magandang balita ito…lalo na para sa seguridad ng supply ng langis at sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong seafarers. Pero heto ang tanong na lumutang mula sa ilang netizens at maritime observers… meron nga bang aktwal na Philippine-flagged vessels na nagdadala ng crude oil at regular na bumabyahe sa nasabing ruta?“

(At first glance, this is good news…especially to secure oil supply and ensure the welfare of Filipino seafarers. But here’s the question that has surfaced from some netizens and maritime observers… are there actually Philippine-flagged vessels carrying crude oil and regularly traveling the said route?)

Several commenters appear to believe the claim, with some questioning whether the Philippine government’s deal with Iran had any real benefit if no Philippine-flagged vessels pass through the strait anyway.

The facts: There are Philippine-flagged vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, contrary to the claim.

In a GMA News report on April 8, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Philippine-flagged vessels have been able to pass through the strait following the government’s deal with Iran, although DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said that these vessels do not carry oil.

The Iranian government earlier allowed two Philippine ships — a tanker bound for India and a bulk carrier bound for China — to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Philippines has 100 vessels stuck in the strait, with four Philippine-flagged ships remaining within the Middle East danger zone, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

MARINA spokesperson Director Luistro Delos Santos clarified that being in the “danger zone” does not necessarily mean they are in the Strait of Hormuz, but that their best route out of their areas is to either go around or pass through the strait.

Safe passage: Since the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint. Iran controls passage through the strait, where about a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption passes through.

On April 2, Iran agreed to allow “safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage” of all Philippine vessels, energy sources, and Filipino seafarers in the strait. (READ: After Iran okays ‘safe passage’ of Philippine-flagged ships, will things get better now?)

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Garin met with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh a day before to ask Iran to formally designate the Philippines as a “non-hostile country.”

“Given that the Philippines imports the majority of its energy requirements from the Middle East, these assurances from Iran will greatly facilitate the steady delivery of critical oil and fertilizer supplies to the Philippines,” the DFA said.

The deal came following the Philippine government’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency on March 24. The Philippines relies on the Middle East for roughly 98% of its crude oil imports. – Princess Leah Sagaad/Rappler.com

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