DMW steps up drive vs child sexual abuse

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday called on licensed local manning agencies for seafarers to «strengthen» pre-departure orientation seminars by including modules discussing the issues of child pornography.

This move came after the DMW received reports of arrests and detention of Filipino seafarers on cruise ships in the United States due to child pornography and other sex-related offenses.

«The DMW is an active member of the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking), and we do not tolerate any forms of exploitation of children, especially if the circumstances involve our Filipino seafarers,» DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

On Tuesday, the agency issued Advisory 33, Series of 2024, which advises all manning agencies «to incorporate into their pre-departure orientation seminars» Republic Act (RA) 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (Osaec) and the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act that protects children from all forms of abuse or exploitation.

The DMW's advisory included the prohibited or unlawful acts under Section 4 of RA 11930, such as those who subscribe, join, donate to, or support an internet site that hosts Osaec or the streaming of child sexual abuse and exploitation, possessing and willfully accessing any form of CSAEM.

Federal laws in the US also criminalize the production or promotion of child pornography and prosecute those who possess, view, transport, and distribute child pornography, even if committed in a private area.

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«All manning agencies and principals are directed to cooperate with law enforcement authorities that are investigating allegations of child pornography and other sex-related offenses. Likewise, to ensure the provision of competent legal assistance and representation during search, arrest, custodial investigation, and preliminary hearings to their accused seafarers,» the DMW said.

Seafarers were urged to «uphold the highest ethical manner during their employment and to not involve themselves in situations that may lead to the commission of sexual violence through subscription,