DMW, DFA studying legal strategy for 3 seafarers detained on drug charges in Algeria

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are discussing the best legal strategy for three Filipino seafarers still detained in Algeria over a drug case, before making any recommendation to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the DMW said Thursday.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the government wants to study the case carefully, especially since any possible plea or diplomatic move must not undermine the ongoing legal process.

“We're discussing this with the DFA. Kasi ang bottom line dito [Because the bottom line here] is how we can pursue the best legal strategy possible for the three. And so, as I said, we're talking this over with the DFA, and we'll make the proper recommendation to the President,” Cacdac said.

The DMW also said it has been assisting their families.

The case originally involved eight Filipino seafarers, five of whom were eventually acquitted and allowed to return to the Philippines. Public reports on the case say the eight were arrested in July 2023 after Algerian authorities allegedly found 35.8 kilos of cocaine aboard the Malta-flagged MV Harris.

During the first trial, all eight were sentenced to 20 years, but five were later acquitted on appeal, while the remaining three had their sentences reduced to 15 years.

They are the subjects of this 24 Oras report from June 2025:

“We've been helping the families. This used to be a case of more than three. As I recall, there were around eight. And we managed to pursue the acquittal with our lawyers on the ground together with the DFA of the five,” Cacdac said.

He added, “However, three remain. As I understand it, there is an ongoing appeal.”

Cacdac said a lawyer in Algeria has been assigned to handle the case in coordination with the DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, which has jurisdiction over Algeria. The embassy has also continued jail visits to the three seafarers as part of the Philippine government’s assistance, he said. The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli’s official site lists Algeria among the countries under its jurisdiction.

Cacdac also acknowledged the appeal of the seafarers’ families for the President's help, saying the government has heard their plea.

“Pero yun nga, out of all these, tatlo [three] remain and the plea of the family is well heard, well taken.” — BM, GMA News