Wives of Filipino seafarers jailed in Algeria appeal for PH gov’t help

June 7, 2025 , 12:36 PM

By Gio Robles

(June 7, 2025) — The wives of three Filipino seafarers detained in Algeria for nearly two years made an emotional appeal to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Saturday, pleading for government intervention in what they insist is a case of wrongful imprisonment.

The three Filipino crew members — part of Maltese-flagged vessel MV Harris — were among eight arrested in July 2023 at the Port of Algiers after over 35 kilograms of cocaine were discovered on the ship’s deck.

Five have since been released. The remaining three face up to 15 years in prison.

“Sana po, maawa po kayo, Presidente Marcos. Sana po, tulungan niyo po kami sa aming mga daing at kahilingan,” cried Marie, wife of the ship’s 54-year-old bosun, during a press conference in Manila. She said her husband is now suffering from severe depression.

Rose, wife of the vessel’s chief mate, said her husband is innocent and questioned why he and two others remain in detention while the rest were freed.

“It has been almost two years po na nandun ‘yung mga asawa namin at nagdurusa po sa kasalanang hindi naman po nila ginawa,” she said.

“Kaya ngayon po, feeling namin there’s a sense of urgency po talaga na humingi [ng tulong] sa government,” Rose added.

Joy, whose husband is just 28 years old, said they are still in disbelief over the ordeal.

“Ang amin pong mga asawa ay mga inosente, pero sa kabila po ng kanilang pagiging inosente, sila po ay patuloy na nagdudusa at [pinapanagot] sa kasalanang wala naman silang kinalaman,” she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it continues to coordinate with Algerian authorities and is committed to supporting the detained Filipinos.

The Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA have pledged to shoulder the travel costs of the wives so they can visit their husbands. The final trial of the three seafarers is scheduled for October this year.

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