DMW alarmed by rise in Filipino seafarers arrested for online child abuse

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers has ordered manning agencies for cruise ships to strengthen their pre-departure briefings following reports of Filipino seafarers being arrested in the United States for child pornography and sex-related offenses.

In an advisory issued Tuesday, October 29, the department directed agencies to include specific modules on Republic Act 11930, the country's law against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, in their orientation programs for departing seafarers.

"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," Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said, referring to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

The department reported an increase in arrests and detentions of Filipino cruise ship workers in the United States, though specific numbers were not provided. These Filipinos are facing charges related to child pornography and other sex-related offenses.

Under the DMW's new directive, manning agencies must educate seafarers about prohibited acts including:

• Subscribing to or supporting websites hosting child exploitation content
• Possessing any form of child sexual abuse materials
• Accessing such materials, even in private areas

The advisory emphasized that U.S. federal and state laws criminalize not only the production but also the possession, viewing, transport, and distribution of child pornography, "even if committed within private areas."

Manning agencies have been instructed to cooperate with law enforcement agencies' investigations and ensure accused seafarers receive legal assistance during searches, arrests, investigations, and preliminary hearings.

The DMW also urged all Filipino seafarers to maintain ethical conduct during their employment and avoid situations that could lead to exploitation of children through "subscription, possession, viewing, distribution, and selling."

The Philippines is one of the world's largest suppliers of maritime workers, with the DMW deploying 578,626 seafarers abroad in 2023. 

A 2022 study by International Justice Mission and the University of Nottingham Rights Lab estimated that nearly half a million Filipino children — approximately one in 100 — were trafficked to produce sexual exploitation material for profit.

Poverty combined with widespread internet access, digital payment systems, and Filipinos' relatively high English proficiency has created perfect conditions for online child exploitation in the country, according to a 2023 study by the UNICEF. Even more alarming, communities are starting to see this abuse as "ordinary" when they witness perpetrators profiting from it, the study said.