Manila: The families of three seafarers facing drug trafficking charges in Algeria have made a heartfelt appeal to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to urgently intervene in their case. They are seeking the President's assistance through diplomatic channels to bring their loved ones home.
According to Philippines News Agency, the seafarers, who have been detained since July 2023, are facing their final trial in October. Their wives, speaking at a press conference in Manila on Friday, expressed gratitude to Philippine government agencies for their continued assistance but emphasized that only the President's direct involvement could lead to a decisive outcome in the case.
One of the wives made a tearful appeal, saying, "Hindi po namin kayang tiisin ang 15 taon. Mr. President, sana po tulungan ninyo kami. Inosente po ang aming mga asawa (We cannot bear 15 years. Mr. President, please help us. Our husbands are innocent)." Another wife added, "Lumalapit kami ngayon at humihingi ng tulong sa Pangulong Marcos na kung pwede, eh may government to government na process or arrangement kung ano pa 'yung diplomatic process na pwedeng gawin para po mapa-uwi na po yung mga asawa namin. Talagang inosente po sila at wala po sila kasalanan (We are appealing for your help, President Marcos, if there is a possible government-to-government process or arrangement, whatever diplomatic process can be done, so that they can return home. They are truly innocent and they are not guilty)."
The incident involved eight Filipino crew members of MV Harris, a commercial vessel in Algeria, who were arrested after 35.8 kilos of cocaine were found on the ship while it was docked in Algiers. Initially sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, five of the crew members were acquitted on appeal and have since returned to the Philippines. The remaining three, however, received reduced sentences of 15 years.
The wives expressed confusion over why some of the crew were released while their husbands remain in jail. They shared concerns about their husbands' well-being, particularly one who is 53 years old and suffers from a medical condition. "Fifty-three (53) years old na po siya, at nung nalaman niya po na nahatulan po sila ng 15 years, lalo po siya nalungkot. Pano kung magiging 68, pag-uwi niya, matanda na at mayroon siyang iniindang sakit (He is now 53 years old, and when he found out that they were sentenced to 15 years, he became more sad. What if he is already 68 when he comes home? He is already old and he is suffering from a medical condition)," she said.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Embassy in Libya, has maintained regular coordination with the families. The agencies facilitated a visit to Algeria in March and committed to closely monitoring the case, providing additional legal counsel beyond the two lawyers already assigned by the ship owners.
The families acknowledged the support from the manning agency and ship owners, who have been providing financial assistance. However, the emotional toll on their families has been significant, affecting their children's welfare and mental health. "Hindi ko po ma-explain 'yung aking nararamdaman ngayon. It's so heavy, it's so painful na nagdudusa siya doon sa kasalanang hindi naman ginawa. Napaka-unfair (I can't explain what I'm feeling right now. It's so heavy, it's so painful that he's suffering for a crime that he did not commit. It's so unfair)," one of the women said.
In conclusion, the wives reiterated their plea for President Marcos's intervention, stating, "The government has helped, and we are grateful. But at this point, it's only President Marcos who can make that call and save our families."
