Correspondence
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed the contract address for Buwan Tala Manning.
The email said: "My name is Jake Conley. I am a journalist with The Outlaw Ocean Project, working in collaboration with Gaea Cabico (copied here), a journalist at PhilStar. For the past seven months, we have been developing, researching and reporting a story about Filipino citizens involved in sea-based labor, and your company is mentioned in the story. As we would like to give you the opportunity to respond to what we are saying, below you’ll find a point we would like to offer you the chance to comment on and confirm or refute. We require your response by 5pm Manila time, Friday, July 14.
Points for comment: — A lawyer in the Philippines alleges that your agency, Buwan Tala Manning, Inc., and the manning agencies Able Maritime Seafarers and Global Marine and Offshore Resources, Inc., are all owned by the same individuals. Can you / would you like to comment on this account, and would you like to confirm or refute it?
Thank you."
Buwan Tala Manning replied by email: "Dear Mr Conley,
Good day! This is regarding the clarification of our connection to other agency. We, the corporate officers and staff members of Buwan Tala Manning Agency, a Philippine-based and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)-accredited manning agency specializing in the placement of Filipino seafarers, vehemently denies any involvement in the reprocessing of applications for placement of any seafarer and refutes all allegations of engaging or collaborating with any individuals involved in illegal recruitment and other similar illegal, nefarious or prohibited activities. Such accusations are baseless, unfounded, and highly damaging to our reputation, which we have painstakingly built by providing quality services to our clients, seafarers, and applicants.
We understand the importance of maintaining trust and credibility within the industry. Therefore, we want to emphasize that Buwan Tala Manning Agency has no business ties, partnerships, or shared interests, equities or shares with any other manning agencies. We stand as an independent entity committed to delivering reliable and reputable recruitment services.
Buwan Tala Manning Agency operates as an autonomous entity within the maritime recruitment industry, independent from any private individuals, organizations, groups, and the like. Our company are solely focused on fulfilling the recruitment needs of our clients while ensuring the best interests of our seafarers, applicants, and their immediate family as well. We maintain a policy of transparency and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, free from any conflicts of interest or external affiliations.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust that you will handle this issue with utmost professionalism and integrity, respecting the principles of justice, fairness, and equity."
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed Buwan Tala Manning: "To the Buwan Tala Manning Agency leadership, This email serves as acknowledgement of receipt of Buwan Tala Manning Agecny's comments. Thanks so much for responding to our inquiry. The information and comments you've provided here are very helpful. Thank you."