Tulfo desires CCTVs on ships to deal with seafarer disappearances

Sen. Raffy Tulfo presides over a listening to within the Senate on this file photograph. (Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — A senator desires a closed circuit tv (CCTV) put in in each ship boarded by seafarers, believing this may assist remedy circumstances of seamen disappearances.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo made the attraction throughout the Senate committee on migrant staff’ listening to on Thursday, particularly urging the Division of Migrant Employees (DMW) to push for the coverage by way of the Worldwide Conference for the Security of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

“Gusto ko although the Solas conference, i-require lahat ng barko sa buong mundo — yung could mga seafarers, lagyan natin ng cctv. Kasi kung meron,  edi at the very least itong [mga] insidenteng yan ay malalaman natin kung could nagtulak ba o lumundag nang sarili lang at napaikli ang proseso,” mentioned Tulfo.

(I would like you to push for it by way of Solas conference. Require all ships throughout the globe the place there are seafarers to put in CCTV. As a result of if there’s one, incidents like this may be solved in a neater course of.)

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On the finish of Tulfo’s attraction was DMW chief Hans Cacdac who famous that the company is now engaged on an elaborate algorithm to deal with the matter.

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“We’re braced to difficulty an elaborate algorithm. Dahil nga po sa Magna Carta at could [Implementing Rules and Regulations] and from the IRR, the DMW will difficulty a extra centered algorithm significantly on disappearance of seafarers,” he mentioned.

Tulfo’s attraction got here after the disappearances of 5 Filipino seafarers had been mentioned. They had been recognized as follows:

• Ralph Bobiles was reported lacking on Dec. 5, 2024. Ten days after his disappearance, his household approached DMW in search of help to look and or get well Bobiles’ physique. In line with Cacdac, they’re nonetheless ready for the investigation outcomes of the Panamanian authorities.
• Jeric Bueno was reported lacking on February 22, 2025 whereas on board MSC Poesia Cruise Ship situated close to Brazil. At current, Cacdac mentioned Bueno’s physique has been retrieved, including that they’re now demanding an post-mortem of his stays.
• Jimbo Cadungog was reported lacking on August 31, 2024 because the vessel was approaching the port of Barri, Italy. Cacdac mentioned they’ve already engaged with Cadungog’s household in addition to his licensed manning company, demanding a report from the flag state and the ship proprietor.
• Vincent San Diego was final seen on board the vessel Kiervaagsund on June 16, 2023. Thereafter, he was reported lacking. In line with Cacdac, they’ve additionally engaged with the license manning company of San Diego nevertheless it gasoline but to offer an satisfactory reply as to what occurred to the seafarer.
• Abraham Leonen went lacking on November 1, 2024. It was reported that on October 31, he had a drink along with his co-crew members whereas on responsibility. He stays lacking up to now.