DMW to support kin of missing seafarer
Credit to Author: Rhodina Villanueva| Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured the family of a Filipino seafarer who has been missing for two months of all necessary assistance and support.
Ralph Anthony Bobiles, a deck cadet of vessel Prestige Ace, was reported missing on Dec. 5, 2024 while en route from Vera Cruz, Mexico to Baltimore in the US state of Maryland.
“When there is a missing seafarer, the family should be informed adequately about the investigation and any relevant reports that could help to precisely inform them about what happened,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement.
DMW has suspended the license of the manning agency, the Parola Maritime Agency, and obliged them to submit the full investigation report of the seafarer’s disappearance.
The manning agency also failed to report the incident to Baltimore authorities when the vessel docked.
“We are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine embassy to seek report on this case. We are taking action against the manning agency and principal shipowner until they fully explain what happened on board,” Cacdac said.
He met with the family of Bobiles and committed to provide them with all the necessary help, including financial assistance and other support during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, the DMW reminded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to observe the recent reintroduction of border controls in countries within the Schengen area.
In Advisory No. 02, the DMW said countries that recently imposed heightened border controls are Denmark, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.
The department said heightened border controls would mean more rigorous checks on cross-border trains, increased surveillance, stationed police officers and the use of face recognition technology.
The agency reminded OFWs to always have in their possession their valid passports, visa or residence permits and other pertinent documents when traveling. It added that other states which share borders with Switzerland and are also implementing the measure are Austria (from Oct. 16, 2024 to April 15), France (from Nov. 1, 2024 to April 30), Germany (from Nov. 12, 2024 to March 15) and Italy (from June 19, 2024 to Dec. 18).