Their journey across oceans suddenly ended at a U.S. port.
Now, more than 100 Filipino seafarers are back home — not because they chose to — but because they were deported.
On Wednesday, representatives of the International Seafarers Action Center met with DFA Assistant Secretary Ezzedin Tago of the Office of Migration Affairs. And they came with one message:
🇵🇭 Filipino sailors deserve respect.
Filipino sailors deserve due process.
The seafarers are asking the Department of Foreign Affairs to file a diplomatic protest, claiming unfair treatment and discrimination after being sent home without the chance to defend themselves.
Tago assured them that the government will not turn a blind eye.
He said the DFA will closely coordinate with:
✅ The Department of Migrant Workers
✅ The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.
Their goal: verify what happened and ensure these seafarers receive the assistance and protection they need.
Last week, the Embassy already requested an explanation from the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security regarding the sudden denial of entry experienced by Filipino crew members in recent months.
The U.S. response?
They insisted their actions were “in accordance with existing laws, regulations, and policies.”
Still — questions remain.
Why were our sailors treated this way?
Were their rights respected?
Could this happen again?
Filipino seafarers are the backbone of the global maritime industry.
📌 Over 20% of the world’s 1.2 million sailors are Filipinos
📌 They power ships carrying oil, cargo, and thousands of passengers across oceans
They sacrifice time away from their families — only to face uncertainty far from home.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear:
These brave Filipino seafarers deserve answers.
They deserve justice.
And they deserve a country that will always have their back.
