Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Sultanate of Oman were officially established on 06 October 1980, with the Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh being accredited as the country’s non-resident Ambassador to Muscat.

The Filipino population in Oman during this time was about 1,000 to 2,000. Towards the end of the 1980s, the increasing number OFWs in Oman had made it expedient to have Philippine government representation in the Sultanate to attend to the welfare and needs of Filipino workers. Thus, in November 1988, Mr. Essah bin Mohammed Alessa Al Zedjali, a prominent Omani businessman and Editor-in-Chief of the Times of Oman, was appointed the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Muscat.

He served until October 1992. In March 1992, in view of the significant increase in the number of overseas Filipinos in the Sultanate, the Philippine government opened a resident Embassy in Muscat, with Consul Bahnarim Guinomla as Charge d’Affaires, a.i. The following year (1993), Ambassador Sanchez A. Ali became the first resident Philippine Ambassador.

Despite the geographic distance and differences in language, climate and culture, Philippine-Oman relations remain strong and continue to grow.

As of June 2024, there are 48,892 Filipino expatriate workers in Oman. This people-to-people exchange symbolizes the robust bond and deep-rooted friendship shared between Oman and the Philippines. Renowned for their expertise, education, diligence, and industriousness, as well as their honesty, resourcefulness, proficiency in English, and amiable demeanor, Filipino expatriates play a pivotal role in fostering strong interpersonal connections between the two nations. Similarly, numerous Filipinos bear witness to the warmth and kindness extended by the Omani community, further cementing the enduring friendship between the two countries.

Under the leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez, the Philippine Embassy in Oman continues to foster the good relationship between Oman and the Philippines through continuous coordination and cooperation with the Omani counterparts, in line with the three pillars of the Philippine foreign policy, namely, the preservation and enhancement of national security, the promotion and attainment of economic security, and the protection of the welfare and interests of Filipinos overseas.

H.E. Nasser Said Abdullah Al Manwari is the current Omani Ambassador to the Philippines.

AMBASSADORS TO THE SULTANATE OF OMAN