The seafarers, who were arrested in Algeria in 2023 after police discovered cocaine on their vessel, have elevated their case to that country’s Supreme Court
MANILA, Philippines – The wives of three seafarers detained in Algeria over drug-related charges have called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help in the case for their husbands’ freedom.
Rose, Marie, and Joy, who requested their real names to be withheld, made the plea in a press conference in Manila on Friday, June 6.
“Nandito po kami ngayon para humingi ng tulong po, most especially kay President Marcos, na kung puwede po na tulungan po, at nagmamakaawa po kami ng mabigyan niya ng assistance or tulong ‘yung mga asawa namin na nasa Algeria,” said Joy, whose husband is a chief officer.
(We are here now to ask help, especially from President Marcos, to seek possible assistance. We are begging for his assistance to help our husbands in Algeria.)
“It has been almost two years that our husbands have been there, suffering for crimes they did not commit,” Joy added.
In July 2023, the three seafarers — one chief officer, one bosun, and one ordinary seaman — were arrested by Algerian police after the latter seized around 35 kilograms of cocaine aboard the container vessel they were working on.
They were among eight Filipinos of the crew who were convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. After the Philippines brought the case to an appellate court, five were released, and three remained, with a reduced sentence of 15 years. The women’s husbands are the last three detained, and they do not understand why.
While the women have had regular contact with Philippine authorities, namely the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), regarding the case, they said the last time they were able to speak to their legal counsel was January.
“Maayos naman ang kanilang kalagayan, bagkus nahihirapan lang po ‘yung kanilang damdamin kasi ‘yun nga po, gusto naman po nilang makauwi sa Pilipinas, at gusto po nilang makapiling kaming pamilya po,” said Marie, whose husband suffers from diabetes.
(They are fine, but they are also having a difficult time because they want to come home to the Philippines, and they want to be with us, their families.)
Joy said she has had difficulties explaining to her children the situation with their father.
“‘Yung eldest ko, hindi po masyadong nakikipag-usap sa akin. Pero alam ko po naaapektuhan siya kasi dati po napapasama siya sa mga honors’ list, pero ngayon po, bumaba na grades niya,” said Joy.
(My eldest doesn’t talk to me much. But I know that they are affected because they used to be on the honors’ list, but now, their grades have dropped.)
With DMW assistance, they were able to visit their husbands in Algeria in March. Their manning agency, Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency, has also still been providing the families double the seafarers’ salaries since they were captured.
“As family members, we are extremely concerned for their safety, health, and mental state during this difficult time. Your support and communication would offer us reassurance and hope as we continue to endure this hardship,” the women wrote in their June 2 letter to the Philippine embassy in Libya.
Continued support
In an interview with Rappler on Friday after the press conference, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said that he was “inclined” to send a DMW senior official, if not himself personally, to check on the status of the case in Algeria.
According to a consultant of the manning agency who asked not to be named, the seafarers have elevated their case to the Algerian Supreme Court. They expect a hearing around September.
“I am very open to extralegal interventions, or interventions outside of the case before the Supreme Court, but we will just need to coordinate with the DFA,” said Cacdac.
Cacdac could not discuss details of the seafarers’ defense, but said that the legal team was putting forward the “best legal defense” before the Supreme Court.
The DMW chief assured the spouses of continued assistance for their detained husbands.
“The President has given instructions since day 1, when we learned of this incident, to fully support and assist the families,” he said. “We will be there every step of the way with the families.” – Rappler.com
