Three vessels were struck by projectiles in the Persian Gulf, two carrying Filipino crew members — 21 aboard one ship and 17 on another — prompting the Department of Migrant Workers to press shipowners and manning agencies to keep sailors out of declared conflict zones.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac confirmed all crew members were unharmed and that both affected ships were en route to safer ports, but used the incidents to reinforce standing guidance to the industry.
“We have advised licensed manning agencies and ship owners to take care of our seafarers and to not put them in harm’s way. We are constantly monitoring ships in the Middle East, and have ascertained the safety of 7,313 Filipino seafarers,” Cacdac said.
The Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman have all been formally classified as warlike areas by the International Bargaining Forum, a designation that carries specific labor protections for Filipino sailors deployed in those waters.
Chief among those protections is the right to refuse sailing — a right Cacdac said the government is committed to defending.
“In line with the declaration made by international maritime labor authorities, sisiguruhin natin ang paggalang sa right to refuse sailing ng ating mga tripolante. And for our seafarers, please exercise your right if you feel the need to do so, without fear of job loss or charges,” he said.
The DMW directed its warnings specifically at licensed manning agencies, which under Philippine law bear responsibility for the welfare of seafarers they deploy.
