Manila asks Iran to ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged ships, oil shipments

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has asked Iran to formally designate it as a “non-hostile country” and to “ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged vessels and oil shipments” as hostilities show no signs of abating in the Gulf.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin spoke with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh on Wednesday, April 1 — the first formal meeting between officials of Manila and Tehran’s envoy since the United States and Israel waged war on Iran in late February 2026.

“This is vital for the protection of our seafarers and our energy supply. DOE is finalizing the necessary details for immediate transmission,” said Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Following the US and Israel’s so-called “preemptive” strikes on Iran, and Iran’s retaliation through attacks on Israel and American allies in the Gulf, hostilities have only escalated, leading to a sharp rise in oil prices globally. The Philippines, like most of Asia, sources much of its oil from the Middle East.

Iran has controlled access and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway where up to 20% of the world’s oil — most of it bound for Asia — passes through.

Lazaro, in a press conference last March 25, had noted that most vessels that pass through the Strait of Hormuz are Gulf Cooperation Council-flagged. GCC members — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain — have all been targeted by Iran.

Castro, responding to inquiries from the media, said Esmaeilzadeh had noted that Iran had been “awaiting our outreach and reaffirmed their strong willingness to assist the Philippines with our specific requests.”

“Given their stated readiness to cooperate, we are highly optimistic about a favorable outcome,” added Castro.

Lazaro is set to meet with her counterpart, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on Thursday, April 2, to “personally secure these commitments at the highest level.”

The Philippines has called for the cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians amid the US and Israel’s war on Iran. It had not favored either side — even that of its treaty ally, the United States.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier placed the Philippines under a yearlong state of national energy emergency as the country scrambles to find alternative sources of oil and petroleum products. – Rappler.com