Report Filipino Worker Loses Job Over Misunderstood Family Video

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

In a perplexing twist, a Filipino seafarer finds himself jobless after a video meant as a family keepsake was misconstrued by US authorities as inappropriate material. Romeo Samonte, previously employed as an entertainment staff member on the cruise ship M/V Vision of the Sea, is now seeking employment elsewhere after this misunderstanding.

 

Samonte had taken a leave last year for his mother's funeral. Upon his return, he was unexpectedly stopped at the airport. US authorities accused him of possessing child pornography because of a video showing him and his wife kissing their three-year-old son.

 

Reflecting on the incident during a Senate committee hearing on migrant workers, Samonte shared, "Sir, it’s about my three-year-old son—they were questioning why my wife and I kiss him." He recounted that the video was from Valentine’s Day, capturing a simple, heartwarming moment with his family.

 

To clear his name, Samonte offered authorities full access to his digital accounts. Yet, his phone was confiscated for a month, and the video was deleted before it was returned. Now without employment, Samonte has had to resort to driving taxis in the Philippines to support his family. He hopes to reclaim his previous role or any available position, even willing to work as a dishwasher in Asia.

 

Samonte's case is not isolated. He is one of several Filipino seafarers accused and deported by the US for possessing what they determined to be inappropriate material. This issue was a focal point at the Senate hearing, where it was revealed that these individuals were not chosen at random by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

 

DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia explained, "They were specifically and definitely identified." Cruise ship officers would accompany CBP agents, armed with lists of targets’ names, to search individual cabins.

 

The situation highlights a broader issue affecting many migrant workers accused under similar circumstances. Such cases raise significant questions about cultural misunderstandings and the practices of international authorities.

 

As Samonte fights for reinstatement, his story resonates with many families who navigate complex international landscapes while working abroad. The incident underscores the challenges faced by migrant workers and the need for careful handling of sensitive situations. Samonte remains hopeful, committed to finding a way back to supporting his family at sea or on land.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-08-15

 

[Cameroni]

The video was obviously deemed inappropriate for a reason, most likely the child was naked. The sailor is an idiot for taking videos of a naked child through immigration. 

 

In any event most of these sailors are underqualified, as evidenced here by this sailor driving a cab, they have no business being in charge of our ships. The only reason these shipping companies use Filipino sailors is because they want to save money by using underqualified staff. They should use properly trained Western staff.

[EVENKEEL]

9 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

The video was obviously deemed inappropriate for a reason, most likely the child was naked. The sailor is an idiot for taking videos of a naked child through immigration. 

 

In any event most of these sailors are underqualified, as evidenced here by this sailor driving a cab, they have no business being in charge of our ships. The only reason these shipping companies use Filipino sailors is because they want to save money by using underqualified staff. They should use properly trained Western staff.

What makes you think Filipino sailors are under qualified? Have you sailed? Have you worked side by side with Filipinos? I have, and they're the backbone of the Maritime Industry.

[Cameroni]

26 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

What makes you think Filipino sailors are under qualified? Have you sailed? Have you worked side by side with Filipinos? I have, and they're the backbone of the Maritime Industry.

 

The fate of hundreds of thousands of Filipino seafarers hangs in the balance as they await a crucial European Commission decision. It follows an audit indicating that the Philippines is in breach of maritime standards.

 

More than 400,000 Filipino seafarers have been on edge since an audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency, or EMSA, indicated that the Philippines has not been complying with international maritime safety standards. 

 

 

EMSA has been warning the Philippines about it noncompliance since 2006.

 

https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-400000-seafarers-at-risk-of-sailing-ban/a-64213556

 

Fiilipinos are not the backbone of the maritime industry, they are cheap labour and shipping companies should be forced to hire properly qualified staff from the West, The only reason they hire Filipinos is to save costs.

[simon43]

43 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

The video was obviously deemed inappropriate for a reason, most likely the child was naked. The sailor is an idiot for taking videos of a naked child through immigration. 

 

In any event most of these sailors are underqualified, as evidenced here by this sailor driving a cab, they have no business being in charge of our ships. The only reason these shipping companies use Filipino sailors is because they want to save money by using underqualified staff. They should use properly trained Western staff.

Where does it say that the child was naked?

 

This guy was employed as an entertainment officer ffs!  Do you think his singing and dancing was under par or something?

[Cameroni]

3 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Where does it say that the child was naked?

 

Why else would immigration deem a father and mother kissing a child inappropriate? Obviously the child was naked, Filipinos are notorious for not dressing their toddlers. 

 

3 minutes ago, simon43 said:

This guy was employed as an entertainment officer ffs!  Do you think his singing and dancing was under par or something?

 

The point about sailors applies generally. Shipping companies should not be getting away with hiring cheap 3rd world labour, they should hire properly vetted and quallified personnell in the West.

[EVENKEEL]

8 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

The fate of hundreds of thousands of Filipino seafarers hangs in the balance as they await a crucial European Commission decision. It follows an audit indicating that the Philippines is in breach of maritime standards.

 

More than 400,000 Filipino seafarers have been on edge since an audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency, or EMSA, indicated that the Philippines has not been complying with international maritime safety standards. 

 

 

EMSA has been warning the Philippines about it noncompliance since 2006.

 

https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-400000-seafarers-at-risk-of-sailing-ban/a-64213556

 

Fiilipinos are not the backbone of the maritime industry, they are cheap labour and shipping companies should be forced to hire properly qualified staff from the West, The only reason they hire Filipinos is to save costs.

Guaranteed if all Filipinos stopped sailing, the Companies would be unable to fill all positions.

 

Saying they're not qualified simply means they don't have the BS certificates given after an 8 hr class which won't make them a better sailor than the guy who's been sailing for years.

 

All US ships are manned with properly documented (US Citizen) sailors. No US Coast Guard issued document, no work.

 

 

 

 

 

[Cameroni]

4 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Guaranteed if all Filipinos stopped sailing, the Companies would be unable to fill all positions.

 

Total nonsense, they would just hire more expensive and better qualified workers, that's all. Filipinos are not required, shipping was done before they became the cheap labour of choice.

 

4 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

All US ships are manned with properly documented (US Citizen) sailors. No US Coast Guard issued document, no work.

 

Yes, that is true,  but that doesn't change the fact that these shipping companies only hire Filipinos because they cost a fraction of a proper qualified worker in the West, they should hire in their country of origin or in Western countries to ensure properly qualified sailors are in charge of vessels that can after all encounter real problems at sea.

[EVENKEEL]

7 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Total nonsense, they would just hire more expensive and better qualified workers, that's all. Filipinos are not required, shipping was done before they became the cheap labour of choice.

 

 

Yes, that is true,  but that doesn't change the fact that these shipping companies only hire Filipinos because they cost a fraction of a proper qualified worker in the West, they should hire in their country of origin or in Western countries to ensure properly qualified sailors are in charge of vessels that can after all encounter real problems at sea.

Filipinos are hired to save money, yes obviously. A sailor doesn't gain experience by sitting in a classroom. These Filipinos aren't Officers, they don't navigate the ships, they're not Chief Engineers. They're workers, they do the grunt work.