Committee on Migrant Workers chair Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday called on Filipino seafarers aboard vessels entering U.S. territorial waters to exercise responsibility when using electronic devices, particularly when accessing or downloading online content.

This statement follows the recent deportation of 21 Filipino seafarers from a Carnival Cruise Line ship, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alleged that the Filipinos possessed child pornography materials on their devices.

According to Tulfo, the seafarers were handcuffed aboard their ship docked at the Port of Norfolk, Virginia, before being deported to the Philippines. He added that the crew members claimed they were targeted due to their nationality, denied due process, and deported without solid evidence being presented.

One of the deported seafarers, a Galley Attendant who requested anonymity, told the Daily Tribune that he returned to the Philippines on July 1. He had been under a valid contract with Carnival Cruise Line from January 2024 to June 2025.

He also acknowledged the assistance of a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), which has been in contact with the seafarers and is working to prevent similar incidents.

The International Seafarers Action Center, a nonprofit maritime advocacy group, earlier noted that the crew members held valid C-1/D transit visas and were legally employed aboard the vessel.

A 10-year reentry ban was reportedly imposed on the seafarers.

Tulfo said he has coordinated with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo de Vega and proposed a government-to-government approach to address the situation.

“I will also coordinate with the DFA to explore the possibility of filing a diplomatic protest, requesting American counterparts to present evidence against our seafarers. And if they cannot show any evidence, the negative record imposed on them, including their 10-year ban, should be removed,” Tulfo said in Filipino.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac earlier vowed to provide assistance to the affected seafarers.