Libya releases seven Filipino seamen

March 4, 2019

The Libyan High Court ordered the release of seven Filipino seamen who have been held since 2017 for fuel smuggling, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

''Chargé d'Affaires Mardomel Celo Melicor said the Embassy received a copy of the order of the High Court on Sunday,'' the DFA statement said.

''The Embassy is now coordinating the repatriation of the seven seafarers with Libyan authorities,'' added the DFA.

The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli said the seven crew members of the M/T Levante were sentenced by a lower court to four years in prison for allegedly attempting to smuggle fuel.

Melicor said the seven were among 20 Filipinos who were taken into custody after the Libyan Coast Guard boarded and seized the Liberian-flagged tanker while it was anchored in international waters.

The Filipinos were investigated and detained for alleged economic sabotage because they supposedly attempted to smuggle six million liters of fuel.

Melicor said authorities released 13 crew members in February last year but charged the remaining seven, all officers, and sentenced them to four-year prison terms in November.

The DFA and the Embassy have been working for the release of the seven who have denied the charges.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. expressed his appreciation to Libyan authorities for their assistance in securing the acquittal.

Locsin was among those who appealed for the release of the seven along with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Presidential Adviser Abdullah Mamao. DMS