On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured deported Filipino seafarers of support and pledged to raise their issues with US officials. The seafarers, expelled under allegations of discrimination and due process violations, requested a diplomatic protest. The DFA will collaborate with relevant agencies to investigate and provide assistance.
Thirty-two Filipino seafarers have been rescued from an abusive employer in Fiji by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. They endured mistreatment, including delayed wages and physical abuse. Upon returning to the Philippines, they received financial assistance and support services to help them rebuild their lives.
Ten Filipino seafarers, recently attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden, will receive support from the Department of Migrant Workers upon their arrival in Manila. DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac announced assistance in securing new employment, along with medical services and psychological counseling to aid their recovery.
On September 14, a significant protest occurred outside the Baltimore cruise terminal, opposing the detention and deportation of four seafarers accused of possessing child pornography. Organized by a Filipino community group, demonstrators rallied for the rights of seafarers, expressing concerns about unjust deportations and calling for accountability from relevant authorities.
Filipino seafarers face ongoing abandonment and abuse, often accepting these as norms due to fear of job loss. At the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Captain Jasmin Labarda emphasized that many remain silent, fearing disbelief or retaliation. The Manila Declaration seeks to uphold maritime workers’ rights and enhance accountability.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) revealed that Filipino seafarers deported from the U.S. for alleged child pornography offenses were specifically targeted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia emphasized that only identified individuals faced scrutiny, raising concerns about due process and consular representation rights.
Seafarers are urged to explore careers in the offshore industry, particularly as demand for dynamic positioning (DP) professionals grows with expanding offshore wind projects. Magsaysay People Resources Corp. president Marlon Roño emphasizes attractive salaries and shorter contracts, making this sector appealing compared to traditional shipping roles.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the nine Filipino crew members of the MV Eternity C, held by Houthi rebels, are in good condition and maintaining contact with their families. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized ongoing collaboration with foreign governments to monitor their welfare and facilitate their release.
The Department of Migrant Workers confirmed that nine Filipino crew members from the MV Eternity C are held by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated they are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure the seafarers’ safe release following the vessel’s attack and sinking on July 7.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service has launched the AimZero campaign to reduce hot work accidents in the maritime industry, focusing on Filipino seafarers. The initiative emphasizes improved training, certified equipment, and a safety-first mindset. With support from influential seafarers, AimZero aims to empower crews to foster a safer future at sea.
Three Ilonggo crew members from the cargo ship MV Eternity C, attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, have returned to Iloilo. Families and officials from OWWA 6 welcomed them home. While the crew is safe, one member remains in Metro Manila, and authorities continue searching for four missing individuals.
The Department of Migrant Workers is probing the detention of 18 Filipino seafarers accused of child pornography violations linked to their phones. The crew, part of the Carnival Sunshine, faced mistreatment during their arrest in Norfolk, sparking outrage over potential racial discrimination and the rights of migrant workers.
The missile strike on the Magic Seas and the sinking of the Eternity C should have drawn global attention, particularly in the Philippines. Yet, for Filipino seafarers, it was just another perilous day at sea. As companies profit, these workers face escalating dangers, often treated as collateral damage in global conflicts.
The Philippine government confirmed that eight out of 21 seafarers from the MV Eternity C have safely arrived in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, following the vessel’s sinking by Houthi militants. The Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating their care and repatriation, while prohibiting Filipino seafarers from entering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued an urgent advisory for rerouting vessels with Filipino crews from high-risk areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This directive affirms seafarers’ right to refuse sailing in dangerous zones, following recent attacks affecting their safety. Compliance is mandatory for licensed agencies.
