Ched Rick Gatchalian

Job applicants take shelter from the rain as they line up outside the Luneta Seafarer’s Center in Manila on October 6, 2022. The Philippine Statistics Authority said around 2.68 million Filipinos were jobless in August as the unemployment rate climbed to 5.3 percent from 5.2 percent in July. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

 

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PH gov’t reminds seafarers to refuse signing unclear documents as U.S. deportations rise

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine government is urging Filipino seafarers to assert their right to consular assistance and due process, following a wave of US immigration actions that have led to the deportation of more than 130 Filipino crew members since January.The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Philippine Embassy in Washington said they are coordinating with US authorities to clarify the incidents, which include reports of Filipino seafarers being detained, interrogated, and made to sign visa revocation papers without access to lawyers, embassy representatives, or company officials.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/10/22/ph-coordinating-with-us-after-filipino-seafarers-denied-port-entry-1255">PH embassy coordinating with US after Filipino seafarers denied entry in ports</a></div>Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia reminded Filipino seafarers that they have the right to ask why they are being detained or questioned and to contact the Philippine Embassy or the nearest Migrant Workers Office (MWO) before signing any papers or undergoing interrogation.“You need to inform my Embassy, you need to inform our government that &#x27;I am being subjected to this&#x27;,” Olalia said. “Do not sign or agree to anything unless it’s clearly shown that you violated their rules.”Olalia stressed that seafarers should also refuse to surrender their mobile phones unless required by law enforcement with proper grounds, citing their right to privacy under both Philippine and international norms.He said the Philippine government has already filed a note verbale with US authorities, including the US Embassy in Manila, and formally raised the issue being experienced by Filipino seafarers.In a statement, the Philippine Embassy in Washington confirmed it is in touch with relevant US agencies to clarify the deportation and visa revocation cases.It also reminded the United States of its obligation under international consular agreements to notify the Philippine government whenever a Filipino citizen is detained, interrogated, or deported.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/6/groups-challenge-constitutionality-of-magna-carta-of-filipino-seafarers-1352">Groups challenge constitutionality of Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers</a></div>“It has been informed that the denial of entry for the concerned seafarers was done in accordance with existing US laws, regulations and policies. The Embassy will nevertheless continue engaging with the said agencies regarding these denials of entry and ensure that mandatory consular notification is observed in such cases.”US law allows the government to revoke a visa at any time if new information renders the holder inadmissible.Grounds for revocation may include security concerns, past fraud or misrepresentation, or other developments not known during the initial visa interview. The rule gives consular officers broad discretion, and they are not always required to disclose specific reasons for the decision.This provision, migrant officials said, underscores the need for Filipino workers to assert their right to explanation and representation when subjected to immigration proceedings.<div> </div><div>SEAFARERS CUFFED, FORCED TO SIGN VISA REVOCATION PAPERS</div>Among those affected is Michael James Garcia, a motorman on Viking Ocean Cruises, who said he and two other Filipino crew members were handcuffed and forced to sign papers revoking their visas during a stop in South Carolina.“Hindi kami pinayagang tumawag sa aming pamilya, hindi kami pinayagang tumawag sa embassy, tumawag ng abugado or representative ng kumpanya,” Garcia said. “Para makauwi kami ng ligtas sa pamilya namin, pumirma kami.”(We were not allowed to call our families, the embassy, lawyers or representatives of our company. We signed just so we could go home)Another seafarer, Gina Yatar, described being chained and treated “like a criminal” despite having valid travel documents.The DMW said such cases highlight a growing pattern of Filipino seafarers being denied due process in US ports, prompting the agency to warn workers to know and assert their rights before signing any document or agreeing to questioning.Five Filipino seafarers also remain in detention in the U.S. after apprehension by the Customs and Border Protection. Seven others have been similarly detained since 2023 and 2024.The DMW said it is extending P50,000 in financial assistance to affected workers, including those whose visas were cancelled even before deployment.“We are expecting that something has to be done,” Olalia said. “Our priority is to protect the rights and livelihoods of our seafarers.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/8/marina-dmw-sign-irr-of-the-magna-carta-of-filipino-seafarers-1724">MARINA, DMW sign IRR of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers</a></div>Meanwhile, some deported workers have reported that manning agencies are now refusing to deploy them, even on non-U.S. routes. The DMW warned that such actions amount to discrimination and could result in sanctions against the agencies involved.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia reminded Filipino seafarers that they have the right to ask why they are being detained or questioned and to contact the Philippine Embassy or the nearest Migrant Workers Office (MWO) before signing any papers or undergoing interrogation.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia reminded Filipino seafarers that they have the right to ask why they are being detained or questioned and to contact the Philippine Embassy or the nearest Migrant Workers Office (MWO) before signing any papers or undergoing interrogation.

PH gov’t reminds seafarers they have right to consular, legal aid as US deportations rise

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PH gov’t reminds seafarers they have right to consular, legal aid as US deportations rise

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 22, 2025 09:13 PM PHT

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Philippines

US

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Department of Migrant Workers

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