The Philippine Embassy in Ankara is facilitating the repatriation of six Filipino seafarers who were acquitted of drug trafficking charges in Türkiye. The six seamen were detained for over 11 months before the Ereğli Criminal Court declared them innocent on September 16, 2024.
Following directives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega, the embassy, led by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., along with the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, ensured the crew’s well-being and their arrangements for return to the Philippines.
“We are very pleased that the Court has cleared the Filipinos of the charges, allowing them to reunite with their families just in time for Christmas,” Ambassador Bensurto said.
The six Filipinos, along with four senior officers of the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel Phoenician M, were arrested in October 2023 on drug trafficking allegations while the ship was docked at Ereğli Port in Türkiye’s Black Sea region.
With support from the DFA’s Legal Assistance Fund (LAF), the embassy retained a lawyer to guarantee that the seafarers’ rights were upheld and due process followed. Embassy representatives, alongside lawyers from the manning agency’s insurance company, attended three court hearings in June, July, and September 2024.
During their detention, the embassy ensured the well-being of the seafarers, providing clothing, financial aid, and communication with their families, in addition to regular visits.