International shipping firm denies illegal recruitment

MANILA, Philippines — A global shipping company has denied charges of illegal recruitment hurled by the local manning agency it earlier dropped for 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 is also set to file countercharges against Eagle Clarc. MPM said it decided to terminate the manning agreement with Eagle Clarc due to “very poor performance, disorderly organization, uncertain operational priorities and lacking in professional and moral values.” It replaced the local firm with Oceanus Maritime Crewing Services Inc.

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 stated his affidavit submitted to the NBI, adding that MPM “has existing manning agreements with first-class manning agents.”

Dumagoso said MPM is coordinating with local authorities to ascertain the facts for the purpose of filing countercharges against Leopoldo Arcilla of Eagle Clarc.