The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued a warning to Filipino seafarers and their families against joining so-called “shadow fleet” operations, referring to vessels that allegedly lack proper registration, have unclear ownership, and often operate without insurance or adequate legal safeguards for crew members.
The agency said these ships pose serious risks to deployed workers, particularly in cases where crew members are left without protection due to questionable documentation and the absence of clear accountability from ship owners or operators.
“Huwag papatol sa mga arrangement na hindi dumadaan sa DMW,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said in a stern reminder, stressing that all deployment arrangements must go through the department to ensure proper protection and security for Filipino maritime workers.
The DMW also disclosed that it is currently investigating reports that some seafarers may have been deployed to vessels linked to shadow fleet operations. The department said it is treating the matter with urgency and is conducting a thorough probe, including cross-checking official databases and verifying related documents.
The agency reiterated its commitment to safe and ethical recruitment for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), while urging the public to immediately report suspicious offers or deployment schemes that bypass official DMW processes.
