STAKEHOLDERS and leaders of the Philippine maritime industry slammed the 'irresponsible' publication of local news materials which raised immediate global concerns from foreign shipping employers.

The commotion began last November 1 when one of the country's largest dailies published news quoting Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople as saying that the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) has stripped the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) of its task of overseeing the implementation of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers.