Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV defended Sunday presidential candiate Vice President Leni Robredo from attacks due to Tiktok and YouTube posts suggesting she belittled Filipino seafarers.
Some netizens spliced Robredo’s video during the Comelec debate to make it appear she belittled the skills of the seafarers when she proposed calibrated retooling programs for new seafarers.
“The troll farm that deems this as belittling or disrespecting our Pinoy Marino may have never known a relative or a neighbor who worked in an international vessel,”said Trillanes.
Instead of being misled by fake news and social media posts, Trillanes said seafarers should listen to Robredo’s plan for them and the country’s maritime industry when she wins the presidency.
Trillanes stressed Robredo is the only presidential candidate who made it very clear the seafaring industry – most especially the seafarer – would be one of her major economic pillars.
During a meeting with the Filipino Shipping Association, Robredo revealed her “Blue” strategy for economic development, putting the seafarers and the local maritime industry in the heart of her economic platform.
As seafaring workers and stakeholders confront a future marked by competition, new rules, and challenges, Trillanes said Robredo “wants experts to chart the course.
“Her talk with the shipping leader is her official policy articulation, not those posted on TikTok or YouTube,” emphasized the former Navy Officer.
He said Robredo wanted Filipino seafarers to be more competitive for high-paying jobs in the global market.
Once they occupy senior ship positions or become ship captains, this would amount to increased remittances they can send to their families in the Philippines, rillanes quoted Robredo as saying.
He said Robredo envisioned the country an emerging maritime power anchored on a modern maritime industry and powered by a globally competitive seafaring force.
“She will work to upgrade maritime infrastructures to support and send more Philippine-flagged vessels out at sea,” Trillanes said in a statement.
“We cannot be overtaken by seamen from Indonesia and India because they were easily done with the training,” he added.