Manila: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has directed all manning agencies, including Filipino seafarers aboard cruise ships to reinforce stricter measures against child pornography and sexual offenses. In Advisory No. 33, series of 2024 issued Tuesday, the agency directed all manning agencies to enhance their Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) amid increasing incidents of arrests and detention of Filipino seafarers working onboard cruise ships in the United States for child pornography-related charges and other sexual offenses. 'The DMW is an active member of the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking) and we do not tolerate any forms of exploitation of children, much especially if the circumstances involve our Filipino seafarers,' Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said. Cacdac said the updated PDOS for seafarers must include awareness of Republic Act (RA) 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Ma terials (CSAEM) Act. RA 11930 explicitly prohibits accessing, possessing, or supporting content involving the sexual abuse of children, with stringent penalties for violations. It also noted that subscribing, joining, donating, or supporting internet sites that host streaming or live-streaming of child sexual abuse and exploitation, or possession of any form of child exploitation materials are also prohibited under Section 4 of RA 11930. The DMW said the commission of such grave offenses is punishable by years of imprisonment, including hefty fines. Cacdac also directed all manning agencies and principals to cooperate with law enforcement authorities investigating allegations of child pornography and other sex-related offenses and ensure the provision of competent legal assistance and representation during search, arrest, custodial investigation, and preliminary hearings of their accused seafarers. Meanwhile, all Filipino seafarers are urged to uphold the highest ethical manner during their employment an d to not involve themselves in situations that may lead to the commission of sexual violence. Source: Philippines News Agency