2 days ago
Marcos urged to intervene for release of Pinoy seafarers jailed in Algeria
With only four months left before Algeria's Supreme Court hands down its verdict, the wives of three Filipino seafarers convicted of drug trafficking there appealed to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to personally speak with the Algerian government and help bring their husbands home.
At a press conference, the wives — who identified themselves only as Joy, Marie, and Rose — said their husbands were sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the seafarers were among the eight Filipinos arrested in July 2023 after 35.8 kilos of cocaine were found on MV Harris, a Malta-flagged container ship. While all eight were initially convicted by a trial court, five were later acquitted by Algeria's Court of Appeals, leaving only three to face final judgment. The ruling of the Supreme Court is expected to be released in October 2025.
The three are a 43-year-old Chief Officer, a 54-year-old Bosun, and a 29-year-old Ordinary Seaman.
Joy said since the last chance to save their husbands is the Supreme Court, a government to government approach should be done.
"Kung puwede may government to government approach or diplomatic process na puwede gawin (If government to government approach or diplomatic process is possible, they should do it)," she said.
Marie, wife of the Bosun, tearfully appealed to the President for help.
"Matanda na ako, 58 years old. Maawa po kayo President Marcos sana po matulungan ninyo kami sa aming mga daing at kahilingan. Please po President Bongbong Marcos," she said.
(I am already old, 58 years old, please have pity with us, President Marcos, help us with our concerns and wishes.)
The families clarified they have received support from the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs, including legal assistance and help with their March 2025 visit to Algeria to see their husbands.
"May meeting kami kahapon (DMW, DFA). sabi nila they're committed sa kaso na 'to at hindi sila nagpapabaya. Nakikita naman namin nandyan sila to assist pero ang kailangan po namin ay urgency. Baka puwedeng makausap ng Pangulo 'yung government ng po namin aksyon talaga galing mismo sa Presidente. Umaaksyon po ang DMW at DFA, pero iba po talaga ang magagawa ng ating Pangulo," said Rose.
(We had a meeting yesterday with DMW and DFA, they said they're committed to this case and they were not negligent. We really see that they are there to assist us but what we need is urgency. Maybe the President can talk with the government of need action from the President. DMW and DFA do their part but it is really different if it is the President.)
Cacdac open to appeal
Cacdac said he is open to personally appeal to the Algerian government the release of three Filipino seafarers, however, he stressed the need to consult first with the DFA.
'Kino-consider ko na rin na baka puwedeng ako ang magsagawa nung pag-apela. Pero ito'y ini-estima pa natin, tayo'y nakikipag-ugnayan pa sa Department of Foreign Affairs,' Cacdac said in an interview following a press conference held by the wives of the detained seafarers.
(I am considering if I can make the appeal but I am still weighing it. We are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding this.)
The DMW chief stressed caution in determining the appropriate course of diplomatic intervention beyond the existing legal appeal:
'Dito sa aspeto ng intervention na hinihingi nila, again, we need to seek the advice of the DFA and also our lawyers, our legal counsel, whether or not this would be the appropriate intervention aside from the appeal to the Supreme Court,' he explained.
Cacdac said President Marcos has instructed the DMW to assist the families since the start, but any diplomatic or high-level intervention would have to be carefully evaluated.
'Ang utos ni Presidente, tulungan 'yung mga pamilya, of course, since day one. At this stage, we just need to carefully assess the situation as to whether there will be interventions aside from the appeal sa Korte Suprema,' he explained.
He said he was set to meet with the three wives later in the day to reassure them of continued government support.
'Magtatatlong taon na natin silang tinutulungan… Patuloy namin ibibigay ang aming taus-pusong assurance ng assistance at suporta (We have been assisting them for three years. We will continue to give them assistance and support),' he said.
The DMW has already facilitated two visits to Algeria for the families. Cacdac said they are willing to assist again should the families wish to return.
'Sinamahan namin sila doon sa dalawang beses… sasamahan namin uli sila para i-assist sila sa pagdalaw sa piitan (We accompanied them during their will accompany them again should they visit again),' he said.
Should the Supreme Court rule against the seafarers, Cacdac noted that clemency may be explored—but added that it is too early to discuss that option.
'Kapatawaran could be an option… pero hindi ko muna ibibigay yung option na 'yun at this stage kasi hihingi muna tayo ng kaukulang payo sa DFA, pending yung kaso na nasa Korte Suprema (Clemency could be an option but I would not float that this early because we are still seeking advice from the DFA as the case is still pending with the Supreme Court),' he said.
Consular services extended
The DFA, for its part, said it has been extending regular consular services to the previously eight and now, three Filipino seafarers detained in Algeria despite challenges in coordinating with authorities in the delivery of those services.
"We are coordinating with the Greek shipping company, which has provided legal assistance from the beginning. We assisted by providing consular services (jail visitation) and visa assistance for the next of kin to visit detainees via our ATN Fund," it added in a statement.
On the request for diplomatic intervention, it noted that the judicial proceedings have not yet been terminated and that the case is with the Algerian Supreme Court.
"While we are exploring all options, the DFA deeply respects a sovereign state's internal processes, and diplomatic interventions should be explored judiciously," it said.
It further said that since the case is still ongoing and there is no final and executory decision yet, it may be more prudent to just let the company-hired lawyers to continue to represent the three seafarers at court for now as what they had successfully did for the five others who were acquitted.
"Any other course of action, such as back-channeling, may be misconstrued to be maneuvering tactics to rig Algeria's judicial system, or questioning its fairness and impartiality," it explained.
The DFA said all options are being explored and the department remains committed to the welfare of all overseas Filipinos. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
