PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate took a firm stand on May 5, as Senator Erwin Tulfo sounded the alarm over the escalating risks facing Filipino migrant workers in the Middle East. 

Citing recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Tulfo delivered a privilege speech urging the international community to safeguard maritime workers caught in the geopolitical crossfire between Iran and the United States. 

“We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and merchant vessels, uphold international law, and work toward the de-escalation of the conflict in the region,” Senator said in his privilege speech.

While recent crew members escaped unharmed, the Senate emphasized that the continued friction poses an unacceptable threat to the lives of thousands of Filipino seafarers navigating these volatile waters.

Directly addressing the Iranian authorities, the Senate called for an immediate halt to actions that endanger civilian lives and disrupt global trade. 

Tulfo acknowledged Iran’s previous cooperation in allowing safe passage for Filipino crews but insisted that maximum restraint is now a necessity rather than an option. 

The chamber concluded with a high-stakes appeal for de-escalation, demanding that all regional powers uphold international law to prevent a maritime catastrophe and ensure that innocent workers are no longer used as pawns in regional conflicts.

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