Filipino ship captains in Russia's Shadow Fleets face DMW probe

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday said it is investigating the 24 Filipino ship captains assigned to Russian vessels, who could face danger due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

During a press conference, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency is checking whether the seafarers were recruited through licensed manning agencies.

“We're looking at the names that we have, 24 ang bilang ng alleged seafarers on board the so-called Shadow Fleet. But we're still confirming this,” Cacdac said.

He added that the DMW is also reviewing whether the seafarers were deployed through the agency, since serious offenses may be imposed on those who transferred to unauthorized employers.

Cacdac urged Filipinos to avoid employment arrangements that did not go through the DMW.

“Make sure na dumaan po kayo sa DMW kasi may hinala din kami na hindi dumaan sa DMW at all ito,” Cacdac said.

(Make sure you go through the DMW, because we also suspect that they did not go through the DMW at all.)

“Well, actually, kung sila nag-end up sa shadow fleet, talagang hindi ’yan dadaan sa DMW kasi ang nature talaga ng shadow fleet ay hindi ’yan nakarehistro sa atin. So please siguraduhin dumaan po kayo sa DMW,” he added.

(Actually, if they end up in the shadow fleet, they did not go through the DMW, since the shadow fleet isn’t registered with us. So, please make sure your employment goes through the DMW.)

The report concerning the Filipino seafarers was conveyed by Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Fediv to Senator Erwin Tulfo during a courtesy call last week.

The senator will meet officials from the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs this week to learn about their efforts to ensure the safety and security of the seafarers.—LDF, GMA Integrated News