On Friday, the Philippine government advised its mariners to steer clear of the Red Sea due to ongoing missile and drone assaults by Yemen-based Houthi rebels targeting merchant vessels in this critical passage.
The foreign ministry emphasized that Filipino nationals should completely avoid the region unless it is crucial for their work, highlighting the escalated conflict in the Red Sea as a significant threat to Filipino seafarers.
The ministry advised seafarers from the Philippines to make cautious decisions and recognize their right to refuse navigation through the hazardous area.
This cautionary statement was issued following the rescue of 23 Filipino and two Russian crew members from a Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, which was struck by projectiles near the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeida on Wednesday, resulting in a fire and loss of engine power.
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran and claiming their attacks are in support of Gaza during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, took responsibility for the attack.
The Red Sea is a crucial global shipping lane that connects Europe and Asia and is a major conduit for cargo and oil.
The Philippines contributes significantly to the global shipping workforce, supplying over 400,000 mariners.
On Thursday, Manila reported that the Sounion was the ninth vessel with a Filipino crew to suffer an attack by the Houthis.
From previous attacks, one Filipino is still missing after an assault on the MV Tutor in June, and 17 crew members of the Galaxy Leader remain held by the Houthis since their ship was seized last November.
The Houthis declared that their actions against merchant shipping would persist until what they describe as aggression ceases, referencing Israeli military actions in Gaza.
