The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that Filipino seafarers deported from the U.S. for alleged child pornography offenses were specifically identified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. During a Senate hearing, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia revealed that CBP agents targeted specific individuals during their investigation aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship in July.
Olalia emphasized that not all seafarers were subjected to scrutiny; only those identified by CBP were questioned and had their phones examined. He noted that CBP officers had access to the email addresses of all seafarers, facilitating their targeted approach.
One deported seafarer, Earl Gamboa, supported Olalia’s claims, asserting that he was working when CBP officers approached him. Gamboa, who denies the allegations, stated he was in Saudi Arabia during the supposed incident in October 2021 and believes he was wrongfully accused.
Furthermore, Olalia criticized the lack of due process for the seafarers, claiming they were not informed of their right to consular representation, as stipulated by the Vienna Convention. He also mentioned that neither the Migrant Workers Office nor the Philippine Embassy was notified of their arrests. The deported seafarers now face a 10-year ban from reentering the U.S.
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