PH seeks better protection for seafarers facing criminal charges

The Philippines, through the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Rights, Safety, and Well-Being, is working with different countries to better protect the rights of Filipino seafarers facing criminal charges and abandonment abroad.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Carlos Sorreta, who led the adoption of the Manila Declaration, said ina press briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 2, highlighted the problem in the different standards of criminal law—particularly the rights of the accused—around the world.

“We have been entering into bilateral agreements with countries who have a large number of Filipino workers. Our problem with seafarers is it's very hard tohave this same kind of bilateral agreement with all the port states,” he added.