New delhi: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the government is intensifying efforts to protect and support Filipino seafarers who are facing increased risks due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This announcement follows recent attacks on commercial vessels that resulted in the deaths of Filipino crew members.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos highlighted the vulnerability of Filipino seafarers during a media briefing after attending the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. He emphasized that Filipino seafarers are among the most directly exposed to conflict dangers due to their significant presence on international vessels. Marcos stated, "The new danger now is our seafarers, because that is where we are having casualties. If a tanker or a ship is attacked, there will probably be Filipinos on board."

The recent attack on the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker MT Sidr in the Strait of Hormuz on August 31 resulted in the deaths of two Filipino seafarers. Fourteen other Filipino crew members survived and returned to the Philippines on September 8. In response, Marcos has directed the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to assist the families of the deceased and ensure they receive appropriate benefits, compensation, and insurance proceeds.

The DMW has initiated investigations involving shipowners and Philippine manning agencies associated with five vessels that were attacked or endangered in the Strait of Hormuz and the Northern Black Sea. Marcos emphasized the government's commitment to supporting affected seafarers and their families while engaging other countries to protect Filipino maritime workers.

The safety of seafarers was also a discussion point at the BRICS meeting, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of protecting maritime navigation and seafarers. He proposed a BRICS emergency support network for maritime workers.

Marcos assured that the government's response will also extend to overseas Filipino workers, transport workers, and economically vulnerable sectors impacted by the conflict. He stated, "Everything we can do to support our OFWs, our transport workers, and those in the lower demographic of our society, all of that, of course, is what we are concerned about."