The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed that one Filipino seafarer has been reported missing amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The agency is closely coordinating with authorities and monitoring the situation of approximately 6,300 Filipino seafarers currently on ships navigating high-risk waters in the region.
According to Hans Leo Cacdac, the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have already visited the missing seafarer’s family to provide necessary support. Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing, and they are being led by the Royal Navy of Oman because the incident occurred in waters under Oman’s jurisdiction.
"We are maintaining constant communication with manning agencies and shipowners to verify the exact number of Filipino crew members on board," noted Hans Leo Cacdac.
Authorities are also closely monitoring at least three vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf, where tensions have significantly heightened. The DMW previously issued Advisory No. 11 (Series of 2026) following the decision of the Warlike Operations Area Committee of the International Bargaining Forum.
This decision officially declares the three bodies of water as "warlike operations areas." Under the advisory, Filipino crew members have the right to refuse sailing in these high-risk zones before a vessel departs. Shipowners are strictly required to implement enhanced security measures, while compensation for families is doubled in cases of death or disability. Officials emphasized that contingency plans remain in place to protect overseas Filipino workers.
