Manning agencies which do not report to Philippine authorities ships with Filipino seafarers that will pass through the high-risk Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will face sanctions from the Department of Migrant Workers, the DMW said Wednesday, March 20.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said that the department now requires maritime principals and licensed manning agencies to register as a “significant event” any of its ships that will pass through the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden through the DMW’s electronic Overseas Welfare Monitoring System (OWMS).

“Failure to do so – failure to register any ship that will pass through the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden will be under pain of sanction in accordance with the DMW rules,” said Cacdac.

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have been the site of attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels, who claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestine amid Israel’s war with Hamas…

In February, the International Bargaining Forum designated the Gulf of Aden as a “high-risk area (HRA).” Filipino seafarers onboard ships headed for HRAs have the right to refuse sailing, with repatriation at the company’s cost and extra compensation equal to two months’ basic wage…