President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received Oman’s ambassador to the Philippine Nasser bin Said bin Abdullah Al Manwari during a courtesy call at Malacañang, reaffirming strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
Marcos expressed appreciation to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and the Omani government for facilitating the release and repatriation of Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels in 2025. He also thanked Oman for granting royal pardons to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The President highlighted Oman’s swift move to open its borders to Filipinos seeking repatriation at the onset of tensions in the Middle East, describing the Gulf state as a “reliable partner” in times of crisis.
Ambassador Al Manwari reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to support the Philippines and its citizens, underscoring the close relations between the two nations. He also personally delivered a letter from the Sultan to Marcos.
Both sides expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and emphasized the need to resolve tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.
Marcos also commended Oman for hosting the 2nd Oman–Cebu Investment Forum in Muscat earlier this year, which drew participation from over 80 Filipino business leaders. He said he is looking forward to the next forum in Manila.
Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Oman continue to expand across political, labor, and economic sectors. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, nearly 49,000 Filipinos are currently living and working in Oman.
Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1980, with both nations set to mark 46 years of relations this year.
