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.
According to Philippines News Agency, in Advisory No. 33, series of 2024 issued Tuesday, the agency mandated all manning agencies to enhance their Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) in response to 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 stated. He emphasized that the updated PDOS for seafarers must include awareness of Republic Act (RA) 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitati
on of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.
RA 11930 explicitly prohibits accessing, possessing, or supporting content involving the sexual abuse of children, with stringent penalties for violations. It also notes 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 highlighted that such grave offenses are punishable by years of imprisonment, including hefty fines. Cacdac further instructed all manning agencies and principals to cooperate with law enforcement authorities investigating allegations of child pornography and other sex-related offenses. They must ensure the provision of competent legal assistance and representation during search, arrest, custodial investigation, and preliminary hearings of their accused seafarers.
Meanwhile, all Filipino seafarer
s are urged to uphold the highest ethical manner during their employment and to not involve themselves in situations that may lead to the commission of sexual violence.