The president of the United Filipino Seafarers, Nelson Ramirez, is expecting a speedy and fair trial for the cases filed against former Maritime Industry Authority administrators Maximo Mejia Jr. and Marcial Amaro III, along with other 10 co-accused in the allegedly behind the leak of 2,411 confidential security papers that have gone missing and were sold to aspiring seafarers in 2015.
This was after the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti Graft Division found probable cause to indict the 12 people, including three Fremarobi Skills Development Center officials for the leak of 2,411 security papers in 2015 used to manufacture fake certificates sold to seafarers for P3,000 to P15,000 each.
Amaro III and Mejia Jr. alongside 10 others were charge by the NBI at the Office of the Ombudsman cases such as Violation of Article 299 (Revelation of Secrets by an Officer) under the Revised Penal Code as amended; Violation of Article 226 (Removal, Concealment and Destruction of documents) under the Revised Penal Code, as amended;
Violation of Article 210 (Direct Bribery under the Revised Penal Code, as amended; Corruption of Public Official under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code; Violation of Section 3 A,E, and K of Republic Act No. 3019 known as the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act;” and Swindling under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
Ramirez said it was now in the hands of the Office of Ombudsman to indict the said personalities, even though the case was only decided to be filed five years ago, adding he still believed in due process of the law.
A total of 61 seafarer complainants filed the said case with the help of Ramirez and the investigation of the case was initiated upon receipt of the letter from Ramirez to the NBI last October 13, 2015.
The letter sought the assistance of NBI to sop the alleged rampant operations of unknown “fixers” in Kalaw St, Manila oppressing the seafarers.
He then submitted an affidavit claiming that there were reports that at least 1,000 pieces of Certificate of Proficiency were stolen from MARINA office and discreetly sold in Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
