THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is investigating local manning agencies over potential reporting violations after drone attacks on nine commercial vessels in the Black Sea left two Filipino seafarers dead, 12 injured, and one missing, officials said.
Speaking at a July 20 press conference, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac warned that licensed manning agencies (LMAs) face potential suspension if they failed to follow mandatory reportorial protocols before deploying 139 Filipino crew members into designated warlike zones or high-risk areas.
The targeted vessels — primarily bulk carriers and oil tankers — are believed to be operating as part of a “shadow fleet” evading international oversight, raising concerns that agencies may have bypassed required safety notifications and deployment checks.
“The first thing that we’re looking into is if the LMAs made proper reports of the deployment of Filipino seafarers even before the ships sailed in the Black Sea and whether they performed all the necessary protocols to protect our seafarers,” Cacdac said.
If violations are confirmed, the DMW will enforce strict disciplinary measures. Cacdac recalled that the agency previously suspended a manning agency for failing to comply with reporting rules for the MV Eternity C, which was later attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea and sank.
Of the 139 seafarers caught in the unmanned aerial vehicle strikes on ships docked, anchored, or departing ports in Ukraine and Russia, 124 have been confirmed safe and are being prepared for repatriation at an undisclosed location. Four injured crew members have already returned to the Philippines.
Cacdac noted that under presidential directive, the department continues to closely monitor security developments in the area, consider additional protective measures for Black Sea routes, and coordinate efforts to locate the missing seafarer and repatriate the deceased.
