Filipino seafarers have been urged to exercise their right to refuse sailing in the Red Sea amid the escalation of various attacks there.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday issued an advisory, encouraging Filipinos to "exercise prudent choice" as a danger to all shipping remains in the water.
"This situation has worsened due in part to the conflict escalation in the Red Sea that poses a clear and present danger to all Filipino seafarers working in the area," it said.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels began targeting ships traversing the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, who have been subject to Israel's attack since October 2023.
In November 2023, 17 Filipino crew members were among those taken hostage by Yemen-based Houthis, the first of several attacks that the rebels made against vessels in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, just more than a week ago, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker came under repeated attack from Houthis in response to Israel's assassination of a Hamas leader.
"Philippine nationals should avoid the area altogether unless absolutely necessary for their livelihood," DFA said.