DFA says monitoring case of 20 Pinoys detained in Libya

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it is closely monitoring the case of Filipino crewmen whose oil tanker was seized by the Libyan navy due to suspected fuel smuggling.

"DFA instructed our Embassy to closely monitor the situation and exten all necessary assistance to our kababayan," it said in a statement.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Libya has yet to report back.

The Libyan navy announced on Monday the arrest of 20 Filipino crew members of a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, which was seized near the country's maritime border with Tunisia.

The tanker belonging to a Greek company was loaded with six million liters (1.5 million gallons) of contraband fuel, accordingto Libyan navy spokesman General Ayoub Kacem.

Kacem said the 20 Filipino crewmen were transported to Tripoli to appear before the prosecutor general. —ALG, GMA News