DMW boosts campaign vs child porn, sexual abuse in seafaring

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has directed manning agencies to include seminars on the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Law in pre-departure orientations for seafarers. 

The DMW released the directive after it received reports of rising incidents of arrests and detention of Filipino seafarers in cruise ships in the United States due to child pornography and sex-related offenses. 

“The DMW is an active member of the IACAT and we do not tolerate any forms of exploitation of children, much especially if the circumstances involve our Filipino seafarers,” said DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac in a statement, referring to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. 

DMW’s Advisory No. 33, Series of 2024, cites the prohibited acts provided by the Republic Act No. 11930 such as willfully subscribing, joining, donating, or supporting websites that show child sexual abuse and exploitation; possession of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials; and accessing any forms of child pornography. 

The DMW is expecting Filipino seafarers to “uphold the highest ethical manner” during their onboarding. 

“The United States federal and state laws also criminalize the production or promotion of child pornography and prosecute individuals who possess, view, transport, and distribute child pornography, even if committed within private areas,” the advisory also read. 

All manning agencies are also directed to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and to “ensure provision of competent legal assistance and representation during search, arrest, custodial investigation, and preliminary hearings to their accused seafarers,” the DMW said in its advisory. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/KBK, GMA Integrated News