KUALA LUMPUR - Filipino seafarers may refuse to sail in three Middle Eastern maritime areas designated as warlike operation zones, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

The advisory covers the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

In a video message on Sunday, Cacdac said the areas were formally designated under Department of Migrant Workers Advisory No. 11, Series of 2026.

“Tonight, I signed DMW Advisory No. 11, Series of 2026, designating the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman — including the Strait of Hormuz — as a warlike operations area, which means it is now a war-risk zone,” he said, as reported by Philstar Global.

Cacdac said Filipino crew members are not expected to operate in those waters due to the dangers involved.

He urged shipowners to avoid the region as much as possible.

“As much as possible, this part of the world should be avoided because it is currently extremely dangerous,” he said.

He added that if vessels must enter the designated areas, Filipino seafarers must be given the option to refuse deployment.

The Persian Gulf, which holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves, is bordered by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf of Oman lies between Iran and Oman, with part of it also touching the United Arab Emirates.

The Strait of Hormuz, situated between the two gulfs, is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

About 20 per cent of the global oil supply passes through the strait.

Iran’s navy recently prohibited vessel passage through the strait following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel in Iran on February 28.