The families of three Filipino seafarers currently detained in Algeria have appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday to intervene diplomatically and ensure a fair trial following a court ruling in the North African country.
In a report on RH Balita by Boy Gonzales, three seafarers are among eight Filipino crew members of the commercial vessel CV Harris who were arrested on July 28, 2023, after authorities at the Port of Algiers reportedly discovered parcels containing 35.8 kilograms of cocaine.
“We firmly believe that it is very important for the Philippine government to take decisive diplomatic steps to ensure a fair trial. We respectfully ask for a formal letter from his Excellency President Marcos to the Algerian government of dealing for a fair and impartial trial for their release, as they are innocent,” said Alyas "Marie," one of the seafarers’ wives said.
“Despite everything, we continue to hold on to the hope that the truth will come out and justice will prevail,” she added.
In February 2026, an Algerian court sentenced the Filipino seafarers to 10 years in prison, a reduction from an earlier 15-year sentence.
However, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited and Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency, along with the families of the accused, maintain that the seafarers are innocent and that no evidence directly links them to the crime.
During a press conference, the wives of the detained seafarers called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to provide immediate diplomatic and legal intervention.
They also urged greater public awareness about what they described as a growing number of cases involving Filipino seafarers allegedly being wrongfully implicated in smuggling and drug-related offenses abroad.
“Ang aming sigaw hustisya para sa aming mga asawa, hustisya para sa mga inosenteng mga Pilipino. Ginoong Pangulong kami po ay nakikiusap tulungan ninyo kami na maibalik sa amin ang aming mga asawa,” said another wife, identified as Rose.
Officials from the Eastern Mediterranean, including Capt. Georgios Chronakis and Ioannis Gogos were also present at the press conference. The company said it continues to provide legal, financial, medical, and moral support to the families of the detained seafarers.
A decision from Algeria’s Supreme Court is expected in the coming months, with the final trial targeted for October.
The three Filipino seafarers remain detained at El Berroughia Prison, located approximately 100 kilometers south of Algiers.
