Six Filipino seafarers in Türkiye have been repatriated after their acquittal of drug charges by a Turkish court, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
DFA said it facilitated the return of the six Filipinos, who had spent over 11 months in jail after their Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel was flagged while docked at a port in the Turkish city of Zonguldak in October 2023.
The Filipinos were sent home after their acquittal by Ereğli Criminal Court on September 16.
“We are very happy that the Court declared the Filipinos innocent of the charges and that they have been released in time to spend Christmas with their families back home,” Philippine Ambassador to Türkiye Henry Bensurto said.
Through the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) of the DFA, the Philippine embassy hired a lawyer to represent them and ensure that their rights were protected and that due process was observed.
“Together with the embassy-hired lawyers and lawyers provided by the insurance company of the manning agency, embassy representatives attended all three court hearings in June, July, and September 2024,” the DFA said.
During his official visit to Türkiye in June 2024, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega visited the seafarers in detention to check on their welfare.
De Vega also met with his counterpart from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the penitentiary authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Filipinos in Türkiye.