Wives Urge Government Aid in Drug Cases
The wives of three Filipino seamen are urgently appealing for government help as drug cases against their husbands reach a critical stage this year. These cases involve the seizure of over 35 kilos of cocaine from their ship in Algeria in July 2023. The wives insist their husbands are innocent and ask for intervention to prevent further injustice.
Initially, eight Filipino seamen were sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, after legal efforts by government-appointed lawyers and their manning agency, five were acquitted by the Algerian Court of Appeals last year. Meanwhile, the remaining three had their sentences reduced from 20 to 15 years.
Algerian Supreme Court Review and Plea for Intervention
The drug cases against the three seamen have now reached the Supreme Court of Algeria, with a final verdict expected by September or October. The wives continue to plead for President Marcos’s help, hoping for a government-to-government approach to secure their husbands’ freedom.
“We are humbly asking for the help of the President to intervene through a government-to-government approach. They have been suffering for roughly two years now. One of them is suffering from diabetes. Please help them with this injustice because they are seafarers and not drug peddlers,” one wife said at a Manila press conference.
She added, “They are so hopeless and miserable, that is why we are seeking the President’s BBM intervention. We pity our children who miss their fathers. Please don’t let them grow without their fathers.”
Alleged Drug Syndicate Involvement
Sources noted that the cocaine was reportedly loaded onto the MV Harris by stevedores hired by drug syndicates, who secretly placed the illegal drugs among the cargo. The Filipino seamen maintain they had no knowledge or involvement in these illegal activities.
Families’ Emotional Toll and Embassy Appeal
The wives also sent a heartfelt letter to the Philippine Embassy in Libya in Tripoli, highlighting the emotional and mental toll their families endure due to the prolonged legal process.
The letter stated, “We deeply understand that international legal and diplomatic processes take time, but our families are already suffering emotionally and mentally due to the prolonged uncertainty. Many of our children have grown up without their fathers, and our families continue to live in hardship and anxiety, not knowing when our loved ones will be able to return home.”
Related Case in Korea
In a similar incident this April, 20 Filipino crew members were detained by Korean authorities after their vessel was found carrying alleged cocaine concealed in 50 boxes. Sixteen crew members were repatriated, but four, including the ship’s captain, remain under investigation.
For more news and updates on Filipino seamen drug cases, visit Filipinokami.com.