DMW slams manning agency of Pinoy seafarer missing since December

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday vowed to "put to task" the manning agency and shipowner of Filipino seafarer Ralph Anthony Bobiles, who has been missing for two months now while aboard the Panama-flagged vessel Prestige Ace. 

DMW chief vows assistance to family of missing Pinoy seafarer

Bobiles, a deck cadet of vessel Prestige Ace, was reported missing on December 5, 2024, while en route from Vera Cruz, Mexico to Baltimore, USA.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they have already suspended the license of Bobiles’ manning agency.

"We are not very happy with the manning agency, we suspended them and we are launching an investigation about this," he said.

Cacdac called out the agency for their failure to report the incident to US authorities when the vessel docked in Baltimore.

“Paglayag n'ya nawala si cadet Ralph, pagdating ng Baltimore, ni ha, ni ho, hindi man lang sinabihan ang US authorities. Parang walang nangyari," he said.

"We are asking the agency to produce, those who joined cadet Ralph onboard to present themselves to the DMW para makapanayam namin sila, malaman namin anong nangyari. Twenty one 'yan, all Filipino crew, and sa ngayon this process is ongoing,” he added.

DMW said they are awaiting the results of the investigation of the Panamanian government on the incident.

“We are still waiting for the investigative report of the Panamanian authorities, Panamanian flag kasi ito," Cacdac said.