MANILA – Officials of a global shipping company on Monday denied charges of illegal recruitment by the local manning agency that the former earlier dropped for alleged inefficiency.
The Marine Partners Monaco S.A.M. (MPM) sought the dismissal of criminal charges filed against its executives by Eagle Clarc Shipping Philippines Inc. before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
MPM, which has a fleet of 120 vessels around the world and 2,500 crew members, said Eagle Clarc's complaint was allegedly a “blackmail” and “defamation” after it terminated the latter’s services as its local partner for gross failure in meeting the manning requirements of the shipping firm.
It added that Eagle Clark's “very poor performance, disorderly organization, uncertain operational priorities and lacking in professional and moral values" prompted it to terminate its manning agreement with the local partner.
MPM representative and maritime expert Victor Dumagoso denied the allegation of Eagle Clarc that MPM was involved in direct recruitment and liable for illegal recruitment.
"MPM has never been involved in any direct recruitment in the Philippines, since it was coursing its recruitment through a duly licensed manning agency," Dumagoso said in his affidavit submitted to the NBI. He added that MPM “has existing manning agreements with first class manning agents."
"Our Principal, MPM, would like to reiterate that in the Philippines they are doing business with many valuable and professional government bodies, managers and seafarers. MPM is used to work with them under a long-standing partnership, healthy business, and surely they are welcome to join our family! Eagle Clarc Shipping Philippines Incorporated has failed miserably as MPM’s partner, so it is no longer part of their family of excellent professionals,” he said.
Dumagoso said the allegations of Leopoldo Arcilla Sr. of Eagle Clarc were "reckless and irresponsible."
Due to worldwide preference for Filipino seafarers, the global shipping firm has laid out expansion plans to bring in to this market another 20 vessels between 2019 and 2020.
“And they operate with the highest standards and certified procedures in all our maritime services,” Dumagoso added.
He said the company is now “coordinating with the Filipino authorities to ascertain the facts for the purpose of filing counter charges against its erstwhile partner. (PNA)
