The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on March 24 flagged three foreign-manned vessels at the Manila Anchorage Area for multiple irregularities, raising concerns over compliance with maritime and labor regulations.
Authorities said eight Chinese crew members disembarked from one of the vessels just hours before Philippine authorities conducted a surprise inspection on March 20. The unexplained departure has raised questions about maritime security and regulatory compliance.
The PCG confirmed on March 24 that the three foreign-manned aggregate carriers — MV Huagan 98, MV An Da Kang 3689, and MV Shingping 007 — were found with multiple violations during a joint inspection with other government agencies.
The most notable discovery came from MV Huagan 98, where inspectors found no Chinese nationals on board despite evidence suggesting their prior presence.
“A vessel calendar indicated the presence of seven Chinese crew members as of 19 March 2025. A review of the logbook revealed that eight Chinese nationals disembarked before dawn on 20 March 2025,” the PCG said.
Adding to the concerns, the vessel’s master denied the presence of Chinese nationals, contradicting logbook records. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has since flagged the ship for “misrepresentation issues” and plans to summon the shipping company for further investigation.
The sudden disembarkation has raised questions about potential labor and immigration law violations. Authorities are still verifying the circumstances surrounding the crew’s departure.
Philippine officials inspected the foreign-manned ships.
Multiple irregularities across three vessels
The March 20 inspection was part of a coordinated operation involving the PCG, DOLE, Bureau of Immigration, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency. The joint effort uncovered numerous violations across the three vessels, ranging from improper crew assignments to safety and security lapses.
MV An Da Kang 3689: Improper crew assignments and contract issues
Inspectors found nine Chinese nationals improperly assigned as crew members, despite MARINA regulations allowing foreign nationals to serve only as supernumeraries (non-essential personnel) for knowledge transfer.
DOLE also noted contract violations, as the crew members were authorized to work in Zambales but were found operating in Manila waters. Authorities observed irregular turnover procedures, with “outgoing personnel (abandoning) their posts before the arrival of replacements”.
The vessel also lacked a valid domestic shipping operation certificate — a key requirement for operating legally in Philippine waters.
MV Shingping 007: Discrepancies in employment permits
Meanwhile, the inspection of MV Shingping 007 revealed further labor compliance issues. Twelve Chinese nationals were officially designated as “technicians”, a classification that did not match their Alien Employment Permits (AEPs).
DOLE warned that “this discrepancy could lead to the revocation of the ship’s AEPs”, due to the mismatch between the documented roles and the crew’s actual onboard duties.
The vessel was also found to have similar manning irregularities as MV An Da Kang 3689, indicating a potential pattern of non-compliance.
MV Huagan 98: Safety and security lapses
In addition to the sudden departure of its Chinese crew members, MV Huagan 98 presented safety and security concerns.
During inspection, they discovered that the ship’s CCTV system to be non-functional, preventing authorities from reviewing footage that could have provided insights into the timing and circumstances of the crew’s disembarkation.
The PCG noted that the broken CCTV system “raised safety and security concerns”, as it hindered efforts to monitor crew activities and onboard operations.
All three vessels were also found to be operating without valid Domestic Shipping Operation Certificates, further highlighting gaps in regulatory compliance.
Legal action looms for erring shipping companies
The PCG emphasized that legal action will be pursued against shipping companies and vessel operators found violating Philippine maritime, labor, and immigration laws.
“The PCG and its partner agencies remain steadfast in ensuring compliance with Philippine maritime laws. Appropriate legal actions will be pursued against the erring shipping companies and vessel operators found violating labor and immigration policies,” the PCG said.
The inspection reflects the government’s continued commitment to maintaining maritime security, protecting crew welfare, and enforcing regulations within Philippine waters.
“This joint inspection stresses the government’s unwavering commitment to maritime security, crew welfare, and regulatory enforcement within Philippine waters,” the statement added.
Maritime Fairtrade has sought updates from the PCG regarding the ongoing investigation, but the agency has yet to respond as of this writing.
All photos credit: Philippine Coast Guard
Top photo: Philippine Coast Guard personnel inspected a foreign vessel at the Manila Anchorage Area on March 20, 2025 and found irregularities and violations.
