Manila: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is validating reports that 24 Filipino seafarers may be serving on vessels, identified as part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet, amid heightened conflict with Ukraine. At a press briefing Monday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the DMW is cross-checking the names against its deployment database to determine whether the seafarers passed through official channels or were hired outside government regulation.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cacdac noted, "Right now, we are looking at the names of what we have, 24 ang bilang ng (there are 24) alleged seafarers on board the so-called shadow fleet. We're still confirming this." He highlighted the possibility that some seafarers were initially deployed to legitimate destinations but later transferred to shadow fleet vessels, which could constitute a serious violation if proven.
For the time being, Cacdac emphasized that these reports remain speculative until they are confirmed. "So we are looking into the list and cross-checking it with our database kung meron silang record sa amin (if they have a record with us)," he stated.
Earlier, Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about the safety of over two dozen Filipino seafarers working on Russian ships. He has arranged a meeting with the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the seafarers' safety. The information was relayed to him by Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Fediv during a recent courtesy call.
Tulfo urged the DMW to ascertain whether the seafarers were hired directly or through licensed manning agencies, cautioning that agencies could be held accountable if proper deployment procedures were bypassed.
Cacdac explained that shadow fleet vessels are typically not properly registered under the International Maritime Organization system and are unlikely to carry standard insurance, including war risk coverage. Employment terms outside DMW oversight may also fall below standards set under the International Labour Organization Maritime Labour Convention.
"Hindi alam kung nasaan sila... Iyong safety nila hindi sigurado yan ang mga perils ng pagiging kabilang ng shadow fleet. Seryosong matter ito (We don't know where they are... Their safety is not assured, those are the perils of being part of the shadow fleet so this is a serious matter) and we will get to the bottom of this within the next 24, 48 hours so we can locate our compatriots on board this shadow fleet," Cacdac stated.
He added, "We have their names and we are still looking into the matter, among others, titingnan natin yung database natin, tatawagan natin ng isa isa yung mga pamilya nila. Ganoon na lang muna until we come out with a complete set of findings (we will check our database, we will call their families one by one. That's how it will be for now until we come out with a complete set of findings)."
