Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured all the necessary assistance and support to the family of Ralph Anthony Bobiles, a Filipino seafarer who has been missing for two months while aboard the Panama-flagged vessel Prestige Ace.
“The guarantee of the protection for seafarers in cases like this was precisely prescribed by the law and is enshrined in the Magna Carta signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. When there is a missing seafarer, the family should be informed adequately about the investigation, and any relevant reports that could help to precisely inform them about what happened,” Cacdac said.
DMW has suspended the license of the manning agency, the Parola Maritime Agency and obliged them to submit the full investigation report of the seafarer’s disappearance.
Ralph, a deck cadet of vessel Prestige Ace was reported missing on December 5, 2024, while en route from Vera Cruz, Mexico to Baltimore, USA.
The manning agency also failed to report the incident to Baltimore authorities when the vessel docked in Baltimore, USA.
“We are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy to seek report on this case. We are taking action against the manning agency and principal shipowner until they fully explain what happened on board,” Secretary Cacdac said.
The Secretary met with the family of Bobiles to assure them of all the necessary assistance and support from the DMW, including financial assistance and other necessary support during this difficult time
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