Progressive group demands reinstatement of visas of deported Pinoy seafarers

Progressive group demands reinstatement of visas of deported Pinoy seafarers
Kaxandra Salonga, Oct 12, 2025 https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/12/progressive-group-demands...

MANILA — Progressive group Partido Manggagawa urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take immediate action over the reported deportation of Filipino seafarers by United States authorities.

The U.S.-based Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), which provides support to affected seafarers, reported that since July, 127 Filipino cruise ship workers were deported on allegedly fabricated charges of child pornography.

“BBM takes pride na meron siyang maayos na relationship with the United States of America so therefore dapat kaya niyang i-call yung attention (nila). Pangalawa, bigyan ng directives ang DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) na mag-take action na imbestigahan itong mga nangyaring ito na trumped-up charges,” said Judy Ann Miranda, Partido Manggagawa secretary general.

“Alam na natin may war against migrant workers si Trump. Kailangan talaga itong DMW mag-release kaagad ng advisory paano poproteksyonan ng seafarers yung mga pinoy seafarers,” she added.

Miranda was referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, which have drawn criticism from labor and human rights groups for targeting migrants and tightening visa enforcement.

She said many of the deported seafarers were denied due process during their arrest and questioning in the U.S.

“Pag kasi sila ay inaresto na from the court ng (US) Customs and Border Protection ay wala silang lawyers. Mag-undergo na sila ng questioning, ma-interrogate na sila, tapos automatic sila ay dinideport kahit na naghahabol yung ating mga Center for Migrant Advocacy and Department of Migrant Workers ay hindi na sila nahahabol kasi automatic na dinideport at kinakancel kaagad yung kanilang visa. So walang due process,” she said.

Miranda added that the sudden deportations have left the families of seafarers in distress and financial uncertainty.

“Sa ngayon ay malaki ang pagkukulang ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas sa pagpoproteksyon ng mga karapatan ng ating mga Filipino seafarers. Given na napakalaki ng ambag ng seafarers sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, given that 30% ng global maritime na pinoy labor ng seafarers ay galing sa Pilipinas,” she added.

The Migrant Workers Office of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. earlier met with manning agencies on May 15 to discuss the arrests and detention of seafarers in the U.S.

The agencies also agreed to update pre-departure orientation seminars for seafarers to include modules on child pornography laws and related issues.

“They were also reminded of the principle of presumption of innocence as they were asked to help provide legal aid to their accused seafarers to ensure their rights are protected during an investigation,” the embassy said in a press release.