Following a direct mandate from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that 1,161 Filipino seafarers have successfully exited the Persian Gulf amid escalating regional tensions.
In a briefing at Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reported that the safe passage occurred between the first week of April and April 18. The seafarers were stationed across 22 vessels, including five crew ships, all of which have now navigated out of the high-risk zone.
While the majority have reached safer waters, the government remains vigilant regarding those still in the region.
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Active Monitoring: DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has assured the President that the condition of the remaining 412 seafarers in the Persian Gulf is being monitored hourly.
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Current Condition: Reports from employer Zamil Offshore indicate these workers are safe, in good health, and have been provided with adequate supplies.
The administration continues to utilize diplomatic channels to ensure the welfare of the Filipino workforce. Secretary Cacdac recently met with Saudi Arabian Labor Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi to express the Philippines’ gratitude for the protection provided to OFWs and to discuss further bilateral cooperation on worker welfare.
“The safety and security of our modern-day heroes remain the administration’s top priority. We are utilizing every resource available to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in times of crisis.” — Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Department of Migrant Workers.
The exit of these seafarers is part of a broader, aggressive repatriation and protection strategy led by the Marcos administration:
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7,144: Total Filipinos successfully repatriated from the Middle East to date.
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16: Recent returnees from Riyadh and Jeddah who arrived with Secretary Cacdac.
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30: Additional domestic workers currently receiving local transportation and accommodation assistance from the government.
The Philippine government continues to coordinate with international partners and private employers to maintain a “safety-first” protocol for all Filipinos serving in volatile regions.
