6 arrested in seaman licensure exam leakage

Six individuals, who supposedly leaked the licensure examination for seamen in one review center, were arrested in Manila on Thursday.

A report on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" by Oscar Oida identified the suspects as Christian Asistores, Julius Maquera, Malone Morales, John Daniel Ricafort, Teodorico Dionisio and Joemarie Antiquera, five of them were employees of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

"Inalok po nila na bibigyan nila ako ng review materials na pinapaexam sa Marina sa kapalit ng halagang kalahating milyong piso para 'yung mga magrereview sa akin talagang papasa na nang walang kahirap-hirap kasi hawak ko na mga exam," Jobert Santos, owner of the review center, revealed.

The chief engineer of the Marina board of examiners expressed dismay over the incident.

"Napakasakit pinaghirapan ko sa barko, 40 years na ko nag-barko, ginawa ko 'yan tapos bebenta lang nila. Masakit, sir. Ang hinahabol namin competence kung di competent baka madisgrasya, mabangga ang barko, kawawa sir ang barko," said Jesse Fresnido.

They also confirmed to the Manila Police District (MPD) that those leaked were their questionnaires and its respective answers.

"Eh taga-IT yan na program, na-hack nila. Empleyado namin, kasama ko sa mga inspeksyon 'yang mga 'yan eh, kasama ko kilala ko lahat maliban doon sa babae," said Fresnido.

Authorities will conduct an investigation on the incident.

Examiners will also ask if they can put the exams on hold to give time to implement changes on the questionnaires.

"Talagang binabago na namin ngayon, may bago kaming system para di nila makuha 'yung bago naming mga questionnaire," said Chief Engineer Carlito Bondoc of the Marina board examiner.

The suspects could face administrative cases following the incident.

"Violation na 'yan ng anti-graft practices, 'yun 'yung initial na violation na pwede nating isampa sa kanila and being government employee, kaakibat niyan administrative case," said MPD spokesperson Police Supt. Erwin Margarejo. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA news