Latest news with #DepartmentofMigrantWorkers
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- General
- GMA Network
Houthi-held Pinoy seafarers OK, allowed to call home
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the nine Filipino crew members of the ill-fated MV Eternity C in Houthi captivity are in good condition and are in touch with their families. In an interview Wednesday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Houthis have allowed the seafarers to remain in touch with their loved ones. The seafarers are reportedly in good condition. 'Pinapayagan sila tumawag, (They are allowed to call,) and I hope it stays that way, and we hope again for their safe and secure release,' said Cacdac. He said the DMW is currently working with the Department of Foreign Affairs, foreign governments, and the families of the seafarers in terms of checking on the captives' welfare and their safe release. 'We are in touch with the families, so this is the number one directive of the President for the DMW: take care of the families, support them. Indeed we have. We have been handholding them through these difficult times,' he said. 'I have made personal visits to most of them, and we will do these continuing rounds of home visitations to ensure them of governmental support,' he added. The DMW head shared that the families asked for their help in providing regular updates regarding the seafarers. 'That's exactly what we do on a periodic basis. We meet virtually or (conduct) personal home visits,' Cacdac said. On Monday, the Houthis released footage of the missing crewmen, claiming they were 'rescued,' following the group's attack on the ship early July. It was confirmed later on that nine Filipino seafarers were among those being held captive by the Yemeni-based rebels. The DFA on Tuesday said it will seek assistance from 'friendly countries' in ensuring the seafarers' safe return. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DMW to go after brokers who charge placement fees for OFW jobs in SoKor
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday it would clamp down on brokers who charge Filipino workers with placement fees in exchange for seasonal contract employment in South Korea. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the practice of such brokers has been become widespread over the last four to five years as some Filipinos clients end up paying exorbitant fees, sometimes repaid via loan arrangements, in the hope of getting the jobs. The agency has worked to stop the practice since it took over the regulation of seasonal worker deployment last year, but noted that some of these brokers continue to operate. "Brokers, some of them Korean nationals, roam free and charge our employed workers or provide loans… So-called loans with additional fees involved in those loans, placement fees. Ang nangyayari, apat or limang buwan nang paglalagi ng seasonal worker. [Ang sahod para sa] tatlong buwan, binabayad doon sa broker, (What happens is that the seasonal worker stays for four to five months. Their salary for three months is paid to the broker)," said Cacdac. "Before we came in, talamak 'yung broker system… That practice has stopped, but that's not to say na walang brokers pa rin," he added. (Before we came in, the broker system was prevalent. That practice has stopped, but that's not to say brokers no longer exist.) Cacdac said that before the DMW intervened, seasonal contract worker deployment to South Korea was carried out through agreements made between Philippine Local Government Units (LGUs) and Korean local government units. The DMW immediately came into the picture following the deaths of six OFWs. Since then, the Philippines has deployed 8,000 workers through DMW offices with one case of an OFW death. "About a year ago, we stepped in and imposed an interim moratorium on the program until we allowed deployment through our offices by processing of the OFWs through the DMW. We look at their contracts, ensure that they are insured medically, and the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) membership. Thus far, meron tayong isang case ng nasawi over the last year since we handled the program (Thus far, we've had one case of death over the last year since we handled the program). But we are also braced to sign an interagency memorandum circular with the DILG, DFA, and all the relevant agencies about this matter," Cacdac said, referring to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Foreign Affairs. DMW is handling a total of 25 pending cases against brokers and has assisted the DOJ in filing cases against brokers in Davao and Bulacan. "Mahirap kasi [It's hard because] it's been a practice over the last four or five years. They still think they can roam free, but the most important thing there is we run after them, we crack down on them, and we file cases against them," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
DMW coordinating with DFA, MWOs in countries with tsunami warnings
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday it is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the appropriate Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) in countries with tsunami warnings. In an interview on Wednesday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said no areas have so far been adversely affected. 'We are in close communication with our MWOs in Japan. There are two, Osaka and Tokyo… and the DFA. All of us anyway, the surrounding Pacific area might be affected also,' he said. 'We're hoping and praying for the best, everybody is safe,' he added. The tsunami warnings were issued by several countries worldwide following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia. Among the countries and territories that issued warnings were Russia, Japan, Ecuador, Hawaii and California. In the Philippines, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) promptly issued tsunami warnings in 22 areas and prompted evacuation in coastal areas. 'All concerned DILG Regional Directors must ensure that LGUs within their jurisdiction are adequately prepared for this threat. Close coordination with respective RDRRMCs is required to facilitate the immediate and widespread dissemination of this advisory,' the DILG said in its tsunami advisory. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has also placed their districts on alert. By Wednesday afternoon, a three to four meter high tsunami was reported in parts of Kamchatka in Russia. Japan warned their residents of tsunami waves of up to three meters. Waves as high as 1.2 meters were later reported to have reached the Hawaiian coast, but the government noted that there were still no 'waves of consequence.' — Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
Yemen Online
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Philippines Seeks Release of Nine Sailors Detained by Houthis in Yemen
Aden – The Philippine government is actively working to secure the release of nine Filipino crew members detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen after a maritime attack earlier this month in the Red Sea. The incident occurred when the cargo vessel Eternity C came under assault and ultimately sank. In a video released by Houthi media, the sailors were shown being rescued from the water. Officials in Manila confirmed the crew is alive, although concerns remain about their well-being and the conditions of their detention. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stated that the Philippines will not engage directly with Houthi authorities, opting instead to seek assistance from friendly nations in the region to mediate the sailors' release. The Department of Migrant Workers is also coordinating closely with the families of the detained to ensure their safe repatriation. One sailor reportedly sustained injuries during the rescue operation, though details about the remaining crew remain limited. This episode marks another troubling case involving Filipino mariners, who make up nearly 30% of the global shipping workforce. The Houthis previously held Filipino crew members of the Galaxy Leader for over a year before releasing them in January 2025. International maritime organizations have expressed alarm over rising attacks in the Red Sea, urging greater protective measures for commercial shipping lanes and crew safety.
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Filipino Times
Houthi Rebels Holding 9 Filipino Crew from MV Eternity C — DMW Confirms
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Tuesday, July 21, that nine Filipino seafarers remain in the custody of Yemen's Houthi rebels following the Red Sea attack on the bulk carrier MV Eternity C earlier this month. The confirmation came after the Houthi group released a video on Monday showing what they claimed were rescued crew members from the ill-fated vessel. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they already had knowledge of the situation prior to the video's release, but were awaiting identity confirmation from the families involved. 'This confirms what we have already known, pending family verification,' Cacdac said in a press briefing. He emphasized that the Philippine government, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is currently seeking help from allied nations to secure the release of the detained Filipinos. Out of the 22 crew aboard the Eternity C, 21 were Filipinos. According to the DMW, eight have already been repatriated, three were confirmed dead, and one remains missing. 'The remaining nine seafarers are confirmed to be in Houthi custody,' Cacdac stated, adding that the government is providing ongoing support to the affected families, including regular updates and psychosocial assistance.
