Manila, July 14 -- The 15 Filipino seafarers aboard the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, which was damaged after being hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, are set to return home, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DFA said the seafarers were repatriated on Tuesday.

"Our absolute priority is the safety and well-being of our kababayans (fellow citizens) at sea. We are working closely with the vessel owners to ensure their continuous protection, monitor their emotional well-being after this ordeal, and facilitate their swift repatriation," Philippine Labor Attache to Muscat Alice Visperas said.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Muscat immediately extended...