Libyan High Court rules to acquit 7 Pinoy seafarers in fuel smuggling case — DFA

FILE: Aerial view from Tripoli, Libya. (Shutterstock)

Seven Filipino seafarers who were arrested in Libya for an alleged attempt to smuggle fuel were acquitted by the Libyan High Court, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday, March 4.

“The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli said the Libyan High Court has ordered the release of the seven crew members of the M/T Levante who were earlier sentenced by a lower court to four years in prison for allegedly attempting to smuggle fuel,” the DFA said in its statement. The seven sailors have been held in Libya since August 2017.

The embassy, according to Chargé d’Affaires Mardomel Celo Melicor, received the copy of the court’s order on Sunday, March 3, and is now coordinating with the Libyan authorities for the repatriation of the seafarers.

“Chargé d’Affaires 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 DFA said.

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

The Libyan authorities released 13 crew members in February 2018, but the remaining seven, who are all officers, were charged and sentenced to four years in prison in November.

The detained sailors, who have “consistently denied” the charges against them, are identified as Arthur Soria Taleno, Fulgencio Pederito Eulogio, Claro Camintay Allera, Abraham Senara Naduma, Jr., Ronnie Lumales Moniya, Gil Dellupac Cruzada, and Aldwin Salang-oy Emperada.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. welcomed the acquittal of the seven Filipino seafarers.

Responding to a tweet of DFA Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato who expressed gratitude for the release of his fellow countrymen, Locsin said, “Tell our boys in Tripoli I love them. Amazing. We thank the Assistance to Nationals Fund as well for paying for the appeals lawyers who got our people acquitted.”

He continued, “I thank the Libyan Government. Yes, the justice system works in Libya. Hope to pay a visit soon.”

The DFA earlier said Locsin sought the help of Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Lufti Al-Maghrabi in securing the release of the seafarers. The DFA chief met the Libyan official on the sidelines of the Global Compact for Migration meeting in Morocco in December.