MANILA – The Philippines, together with nine other maritime nations, has sounded a powerful call: the world must act now to protect seafarers.
On Tuesday, ten major seafaring states ended their two-day meeting in Manila with a declaration that placed seafarers at the heart of global trade and supply chains. The message was clear—without them, the world stops moving.
“Seafarers are indispensable to the ships plying the world’s oceans and seas, carrying food, fuel, medicines, and other life-sustaining goods,” the Manila Declaration read.
The pact was backed by Bangladesh, Germany, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Together, they vowed to transform words into meaningful action, affirming that protecting seafarers is a shared responsibility.
A Call Beyond Borders
Though the agreement is non-binding, Philippine officials say it is only the beginning. Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, the country’s envoy to the UN in Geneva, emphasized that Manila will push hard for global support.
“We will try to get as many adherence to the declaration as possible,” he said.
The declaration highlighted the urgent need for stronger enforcement, closer cooperation, and genuine dialogue to safeguard seafarers’ rights.
“In a world of change, crises, and conflicts, protecting seafarers is both a human rights imperative and a shared responsibility,” the document stressed.
Real Dangers at Sea
For many seafarers, danger is part of everyday life. Piracy, kidnappings, and unlawful attacks at sea remain a grim reality. Filipino sailors, who make up more than 20 percent of the world’s 1.2 million seafarers, often find themselves on the frontlines—manning oil tankers, cargo ships, luxury liners, and passenger vessels that face risks across the globe.
Just last July, the MV Eternity tragedy shocked the nation after reports emerged that Houthi rebels from Yemen took several Filipino crew members hostage when the vessel sank in the Red Sea. Their fate remains uncertain.
These stories underscore why the Manila Declaration matters. Seafarers don’t just move goods—they put their lives on the line for the world’s survival.
The Philippines Leads the Call
Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin, also the country’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization, issued a strong reminder: nations must go beyond promises.
“There is an urgent need for states to match their words with necessary vigilance and critical action,” Locsin said.
He described seafarers as “extraordinary men and women who bravely sail the world’s waters,” stressing that they deserve nothing less than full commitment to their safety, dignity, and human rights.
A Shared Duty
The Manila Declaration stands as both a warning and a promise. The world’s trade depends on the millions of sailors who cross oceans every day. Protecting them is not just a duty of maritime nations—it is a responsibility of humanity.
