The Philippine government has issued an urgent warning to Filipino seafarers, advising them to exercise extreme caution as the escalating conflict in the Red Sea heightens maritime safety risks.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released an advisory early Friday, August 23, reminding Filipino seafarers that they cannot be compelled to sail through war-like maritime zones and that they may refuse to sail through such areas.
Both the Philippine government and the International Maritime Organization have repeatedly clarified the legal bases of seamen’s right to refuse to sail through war-like zones after Iran-backed and Yemen-based Houthi rebels began attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea last November, in what they termed as a show of solidarity with Hamas, a terrorist group, combating Israel in Gaza. The war started after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.
“The DFA advises the public that the danger to all shipping in the Red Sea remains. This situation has worsened due in part to the conflict escalation in the Red Sea that poses a clear and present danger to all Filipino seafarers working in the area,” the advisory reads.
Unless absolutely necessary for their livelihood, the DFA encouraged Filipino seafarers to refuse to sail through the Red Sea. This advisory came after the missile attack on the Greek-owned oil tanker MT Sounion by Houthi rebels off the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
DMW ensures safe repatriation of 23 Filipino seafarers
On August 22, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed the successful rescue of all 23 Filipino crew members aboard the ship. As of this writing, the Philippine government is facilitating the immediate repatriation of Filipino seafarers.
Upon their return to the Philippines, the seafarers and their families will receive psychosocial, financial, training, and reintegration support.
Before the attack, the Philippine government had already prohibited Filipino seafarers from boarding vessels navigating the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The DMW requires manning agencies to provide a written guarantee that vessels with Filipino crew members will avoid these high-risk zones, now classified as “war-like”.
In addition to the written affirmation letter, manning agencies are now required to submit a vessel’s detailed itinerary when processing crew employment contracts or prior to deployment.
The attack on the MV Sounion occurred on August 21 (Manila time), damaging the ship’s engine and causing it to take on water.
“There were three missile attacks and the attacks caused damage to the engine, and the ship has taken in some water, but it’s not water that is enough to sink the ship,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac during an August 22 press briefing.
The European Union’s Naval Force “Aspides” rescued the crew on August 22 at 2.10 pm (Manila time). Fortunately, none of the crew members, including two Russians, were injured.
Cacdac noted that all 23 Filipino seafarers had agreed to sail and did not exercise their right to refuse. However, the DMW has already ordered Philippine crewing agencies not to provide Filipino seafarers to ship owners whose vessels have already been attacked in the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.
The DMW is currently reviewing the list of prohibited ship owners, which includes eight companies. The principal of the MT Sounion will be added to this list. Cacdac also mentioned that the DMW will meet with the tripartite advisory council to further address the issue.
Photo credit: iStock/ vchal
