Filipino Seafarers in Global Maritime Affairs: Issues and Interventions in Philippine Diplomatic Relations

Abstract

There is little research addressing the role of Filipino seafarers in the foreign relations of the Philippines. Most of completed studies focus on socio-economic issues. The present study is an attempt to fill this gap by using historical methods to identify issues confronting Filipino seafarers and the interventions made by the government of the Philippines.

The Philippines is the world’s leading supplier of highly skilled seafarers. This has placed the country in a highly respected position in the global maritime affairs. The government of the Philippines itself has set out to protect all Filipinos working overseas, whether based on land or sea. Issues of concern to Filipino seafarers have at times landed on the negotiating table when the Philippines has discussed bilateral economic agreements with its counterparts elsewhere in the world. Piracy off the coast of Africa has posed a serious threat to the sustainability of global maritime transport, particularly in terms of the risks to which seafarers are exposed. Lacking military capability, the government of the Philippines has used diplomacy to ensure the safety and security of Filipino seafarers navigating the oceans and driving the country’s economy.