The Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM) launched a protest on September 14 at the Carnival Cruise Line terminal in Baltimore, Maryland to condemn the new series of arrests and deportations of Filipino seafarers without due process. Migrante USA, Baltimore Rapid Response, and Malaya Movement Baltimore joined the protest.

On September 7, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested four Filipino seafarers aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. CBP investigated them regarding possession of illegal drugs. Later, they were forced to sign a document admitting to having child pornography videos.

Minutes before the protest began, reports surfaced that an additional 18 seafarers had been arrested by CBP. They add to nearly 200 Filipino migrants who had been deported without undergoing the proper legal process.

“The due process of these crew members was not respected. They deserve fairness and assistance, especially when accusations are made without proof,” former seafarer Philip Coronado said.

At the protest, Coronado revealed his ordeal as a former worker and the systematic abuse faced by seafarers such as unequal wages, harsh working conditions, and the threat of being blacklisted in the industry.

Migrante USA condemned the continuing neglect of the Philippine government toward Filipino workers. “If South Korea was able to negotiate for their workers arrested in Georgia, why can’t our government do the same?” Migrante USA’s Jom Delor asked.

Up to now, private companies as well as the Philippine embassy in the US have not issued any statement regarding the deportation incidents.

TMM and its allies called on the Philippine Congress to formally investigate the incidents, for the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest, and to promptly provide support to deported workers and their families. They also demanded accountability from Carnival Cruise Line.

“Seafarers sacrifice for their families and are essential to the global economy. They deserve protection, not harassment and deportation,” Coronado appealed.