Three Filipino seafarers remain in an Algerian detention facility nearly two years after a drug seizure aboard their vessel led to the arrest of eight crew members, with the Philippine government now weighing legal options that could shape the outcome of their appeal.
The Department of Migrant Workers confirmed it is working alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs to bolster the legal defense of the detained men, with Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac saying the case is being handled at the highest levels of coordination between the two agencies.
The arrests stemmed from an operation on July 28, 2023, when Algerian authorities boarded the commercial vessel CV Harris at the port of Algiers and found approximately 35.8 kilograms of cocaine. All eight Filipino crew members on board were taken into custody. Five have since been freed, but three remain held as proceedings continue.
Philippine diplomatic channels, particularly through the embassy in Tripoli, have been conducting jail visits to monitor the welfare of the remaining detainees and maintain contact with their families.
“We remain in touch with the families and have been supporting them throughout the past three years as the case continues,” Cacdac said.
A central concern for the government now is how any plea entered by the seafarers might affect the status of their appeal. Cacdac said officials are treading carefully on that front before making any formal recommendation to the President.
“We are working closely with the DFA to assess the merits of their plea and its potential impact on the appeal. Based on this, we will make the appropriate recommendation to the President,” he said.
