By Roy Mabasa
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday assured the relatives of the seven Filipino seafarers currently jailed in Libya that it is exerting all efforts to bring them home.
This came a day after relatives of the seafarers sought President Duterte's help in ensuring the OFWs' safety and eventually be repatriated back to the Philippines.
The detained officers of Greek-owned oil tanker MT Levante were 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.
They were among several Filipino crewmembers of the Liberian-flagged MV Levant who were taken into custody by the Libyan Coast Guard in August on suspicion of fuel smuggling.
The DFA said they are "actively monitoring" the case with no less than Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. seeking the help of Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Lufti Al-Maghrabi in securing their release.
Last month, Locsin met with the Libyan official at the sidelines of the Global Compact for Migration meeting in Morocco.
Locsin reiterated his request to Libyan Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Ahmed Eddeb when they meet at the DFA office last week.
Philippine Embassy in Tripoli Charge d’Affaires Mardomel Celo Melicor also recently visited the seven and has retained the services of a lawyer to represent them in court.
Libyan authorities assured that the seven are in good condition.