DMW: Filipino seafarers allowed to refuse deployment in war-risk areas

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino seafarers may refuse to sail in three Middle Eastern maritime areas considered at risk of war operations, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

In a video message on Sunday, March 8, Cacdac said the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz have been designated as “warlike operation areas,” allowing seafarers to refuse deployment.

“Ngayong gabi po ay napirmahan ko ang DMW Advisory No. 11, Series of 2026, na nagtatalaga sa Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, bilang kasama na ang Strait of Hormuz bilang warlike operations area, ibig sabihin, war-risk zone,” he said.

(Tonight, I signed DMW Advisory No. 11, Series of 2026, designating the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman—including the Strait of Hormuz—as a warlike operations area, which means it is now a war-risk zone.)

Cacdac said Filipino crew members are not expected to operate in those waters and urged shipowners to avoid the region due to the extreme danger.

He added that if a vessel must enter the area, Filipino seafarers must be granted the right to refuse deployment.

“Hangga’t maaari, iwasan ang bahagi ng mundo na ito gawat. Napakadelikado po sa ngayon,” he said.

(As much as possible, this part of the world should be avoided because it is currently extremely dangerous.)

The Persian Gulf, home to some of the world’s largest oil deposits, is bordered by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf of Oman lies between Iran and Oman, with a portion touching the United Arab Emirates.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between the two gulfs, saw Iran’s Navy prohibit vessel passage after the United States and Israel launched a coordinated strike in Iran on February 28. About 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait.