Groups urge PH gov't to protect 270 Pinoy seafarers pulled, deported from US

Groups urge PH gov't to protect 270 Pinoy seafarers pulled, deported from US
Aaron Recuenco Sep 21, 2026 https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/21/groups-urge-ph-govt-to-protect-270-pinoy-se...

Various groups advocating for the welfare of migrant workers are urging the national government to protect around 270 Filipino seafarers who were pulled from their vessels and allegedly deported without formal charges or due process.

In a statement, the Save Our Seafarers (SOS) movement explained that the cases involving the Filipino seafarers are part of a racially charged US immigration crackdown dubbed “Operation Tidal Wave.”

“More Filipino seafarers could be affected if the practice continues unchecked. As the world’s largest supplier of seafarers, the Philippines should ensure that its maritime workers are protected from arbitrary removal and afforded due process abroad,” the SOS coalition said.

“There should be a need for stronger protection for Filipino seafarers and an immediate halt to the removal of crews from United States ports,” it added.

The coalition, led by the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), said the documented cases lacked formal complaints or convictions, and that the seafarers were not given a meaningful opportunity to contest the allegations.

For his part, Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula said the Philippine government must stand up for Filipino seafarers abroad, “Hindi dapat hinahayaan ng gobyerno na basta na lang tanggalin sa barko at i-deport ang ating mga seafarer nang walang due process (The government should not allow our seafarers to just be removed from ships and deported without due process.”

“We demand answers and protection for our workers. Hindi lang trabaho ang maaapektuhan, pati na ang kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng kanilang mga pamilya (Not only jobs will be affected, but also the livelihood and future of their families),” Ismula said.

Ahead of National Seafarers’ Day on Sept. 27, PWC and CMA will hold a solidarity dialogue forum on September 21 with affected seafarers, families, labor leaders, migrant rights advocates, and representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs, other government agencies, and local governments.

The groups are calling on these agencies to investigate the CBP practices and provide immediate assistance to affected seafarers and their families.

The SOS campaign will also hold a port protest on Sept. 28 in San Diego, California, to protest the revocation of Filipino seafarers’ visas and demand due process and protection for affected workers.