7 PH seamen released by Libyan court on their way home — DFA
Credit to Author: BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO| Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2019 03:08:28 +0000
THE seven detained Filipino seafarers in Tripoli who were ordered released by the Libyan High Court were now on their way back to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.
The crewmembers of the M/T Levante left Tripoli with Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Affairs Abdullah Mamao, the DFA said.
Mamao flew to Libya upon instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. to personally thank Libyan authorities and bring the Filipinos home.
Locsin had welcomed the acquittal of the seven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been held in Libya since 2017.
They were sentenced to four years in prison in November for allegedly attempting to smuggle 16 million liters of fuel.
The Libyan High Court ordered the release on February 28.
They 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 on international waters.
Authorities released 13 crew members in February 2018 but charged the remaining seven.
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