The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has concluded the case of Filipino sailors who are actively resolving cases of abandonment at sea, warning recruitment agencies to hire personnel to avoid similar incidents, otherwise they threaten legal consequences. DMW Minister Hans Cacdac stated that most abandoned Filipino sailors have already been repatriated, but the ministry continues to monitor the situation. The Deputy Minister Bernard Olalia called on Filipinos to report cases of abandonment to the department, emphasizing that repatriation is mandatory for abandoned sailors and is the responsibility of recruitment agencies. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported an increase in the number of abandoned crew members worldwide, with over 2,000 sailors left on 150 ships by 2023. Cacdac noted that since 2018, many abandonment cases involve fishermen, while latterly passenger ships, yachts, and other vessels. He also noted that only three Filipinos remain to be repatriated, and DMW continues to insist on the recommendations of recruitment agencies and shipowners involved in similar incidents.
