DFA monitors case of Filipino sailors reportedly arrested in Libya

FILE PHOTO/ DFA (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it is monitoring the case of Filipino sailors reportedly arrested in Tripoli, Libya on suspicion of oil smuggling.
“The DFA has instructed our Embassy in Tripoli to closely monitor the situation and extend all necessary assistance to our kababayans,” said DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar in a statement.

Bolivar said the department has not yet received the full report on the incident from the Embassy.

It was reported that a Liberian-flagged oil tanker with Filipino crews was towed Sunday by the Libyan coastguard due to suspected oil smuggling.

For his part, Atty. Raul Dado, DFA Executive Director for Migrant Workers Affairs, said the government is ready to provide assistance to Filipino seafarers once the incident is confirmed.

“…We do not presume that our Filipinos are guilty, parating (always) innocent is our presumption so we send the best lawyers immediately,” Dado said in an interview.

  (PNA)