MANILA, April 16 -- Iran has promised to release "soon" the four Filipino crewmembers of MSC Aries, a cargo vessel seized by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

DFA Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega said the four are safe and have contacted their families on Monday night.

The crew are being fed and attended to while in Iran's custody, he added.

"Nakausap na nila ang pamilya nila at pinapangakuan sila na mapapalaya sila sa lalong madaling panahon. Titingnan natin at kinakausap na natin ang mga taga-Iran tungkol dito (They already communicated with their families and they were promised to be released soon. We are looking...