DFA assures assistance for Pinoy seamen deported by US authorities

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday assured a group of Filipino seafarers who were deported from the United States that they will be provided assistance and that their concerns will be taken up with US authorities.

A group representing the International Seafarers Action Center met DFA Assistant Secretary Ezzedin Tago of the Office of Migration Affairs after more than 100 Filipino seafarers have reportedly been summarily deported from the US.

The deported seafarers urged the DFA to file a diplomatic protest against the US for alleged discrimination and denial of their right to due process.

In response, Tago assured them that the DFA will coordinate with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. to verify the reports and ensure that appropriate assistance is extended to them.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington last week said it has sought explanation from the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security on the reported denial of entry encountered by Filipino seafarers at US ports of entry in recent months.

The two agencies, however, informed them that its actions against certain Filipino sailors were done "in accordance with existing US laws, regulations and policies."

The Philippines is one of the world’s largest providers of shipping manpower in the world.

A bulk of Filipino seamen or more than 20 percent of the world’s 1.2 million sailors are manning oil tankers, cargo ships, luxury liners, and passenger vessels worldwide. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News