7 Filipino seamen detained in Libya coming home to PH – DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Seven Filipino seafarers acquitted of fuel smuggling in Libya are on their way home to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement on Monday, the DFA said that the seven Filipinos left Tripoli with Abdullah Mamao, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Affairs.

Mamao flew to Libya as instructed by President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli have been working for the release of the seven who have consistently denied the charges,” the DFA said.

“Secretary Locsin expressed his appreciation to Libyan authorities for ordering the release of the seven,” it added.

The seven seafarers, who were among the 20 Filipino crew members of the Liberian-flagged MV Levant, have been detained in Libya since 2017. They were sentenced to four years in prison in November for alleged fuel smuggling.

The Filipinos, the DFA noted, were investigated and detained for economic sabotage after they were caught allegedly attempting to smuggle six million liters of fuel.

READ: 7 Filipino seafarers in Libya acquitted in fuel smuggling case — DFA

The Libyan High Court ordered the release of the seven Filipinos last Feb. 28. /cbb