Philippines says no ban on Filipino seafarers in war-hit regions

April 27, 2026 7:21 AM EDT

MANILA, April ‌27 (Reuters) - Philippine ​shipowners ​and crewing agencies are still permitted to ‌rotate Filipino seafarers into areas like ⁠the Persian Gulf, but all ‌workers are free to ‌refuse deployment in regions where they may be at risk, ​the government said on Monday.

"We have already told the ⁠industry in a meeting that we are ​allowing seafarers to replace the crew," presidential communications undersecretary Claire ​Castro said, citing ‌a message relayed by Migrant Workers' Secretary Hans ⁠Cacdac.

But workers from the Philippines were free to decline any ⁠deployments in "warlike operation areas", Cacdac said in ​a recent advisory.

Cacdac said earlier that 15 Filipinos were aboard two container ‌vessels seized by Iranian forces near the Strait ‌of Hormuz.

The Philippines is one ⁠of the ‌world's largest ​suppliers of seafarers.

(Reporting by Nestor Corrales; Editing by David ‌Stanway)



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