Detained seafarers’ wives seek help from Marcos for husbands’ freedom

Detained seafarers’ wives seek help from Marcos for husbands’ freedom
Michelle Abad Jun 6, 2025 https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/detained-algeria-...

The seafarers, who were arrested in Algeria in 2023 after police discovered cocaine on their vessel, have elevated their case to that country's Supreme Court

their vessel, have elevated their case to that country's Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines – The wives of three seafarers detained in Algeria over drug-related charges have called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help in the case for their husbands’ freedom.

Rose, Marie, and Joy, who requested their real names to be withheld, made the plea in a press conference in Manila on Friday, June 6.

“Nandito po kami ngayon para humingi ng tulong po, most especially kay President Marcos, na kung puwede po na tulungan po, at nagmamakaawa po kami ng mabigyan niya ng assistance or tulong ‘yung mga asawa namin na nasa Algeria,” said Joy, whose husband is a chief officer.

(We are here now to ask help, especially from President Marcos, to seek possible assistance. We are begging for his assistance to help our husbands in Algeria.)

“It has been almost two years that our husbands have been there, suffering for crimes they did not commit,” Joy added.

In July 2023, the three seafarers — one chief officer, one bosun, and one ordinary seaman — were arrested by Algerian police after the latter seized around 35 kilograms of cocaine aboard the container vessel they were working on.

They were among eight Filipinos of the crew who were convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. After the Philippines brought the case to an appellate court, five were released, and three remained, with a reduced sentence of 15 years. The women’s husbands are the last three detained, and they do not understand why.

While the women have had regular contact with Philippine authorities, namely the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), regarding the case, they said the last time they were able to speak to their legal counsel was January.

“Maayos naman ang kanilang kalagayan, bagkus nahihirapan lang po ‘yung kanilang damdamin kasi ‘yun nga po, gusto naman po nilang makauwi sa Pilipinas, at gusto po nilang makapiling kaming pamilya po,” said Marie, whose husband suffers from diabetes.

(They are fine, but they are also having a difficult time because they want to come home to the Philippines, and they want to be with us, their families.)

their vessel, have elevated their case to that country's Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines – The wives of three seafarers detained in Algeria over drug-related charges have called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help in the case for their husbands’ freedom.

Rose, Marie, and Joy, who requested their real names to be withheld, made the plea in a press conference in Manila on Friday, June 6.

“Nandito po kami ngayon para humingi ng tulong po, most especially kay President Marcos, na kung puwede po na tulungan po, at nagmamakaawa po kami ng mabigyan niya ng assistance or tulong ‘yung mga asawa namin na nasa Algeria,” said Joy, whose husband is a chief officer.

(We are here now to ask help, especially from President Marcos, to seek possible assistance. We are begging for his assistance to help our husbands in Algeria.)

“It has been almost two years that our husbands have been there, suffering for crimes they did not commit,” Joy added.

In July 2023, the three seafarers — one chief officer, one bosun, and one ordinary seaman — were arrested by Algerian police after the latter seized around 35 kilograms of cocaine aboard the container vessel they were working on.

They were among eight Filipinos of the crew who were convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. After the Philippines brought the case to an appellate court, five were released, and three remained, with a reduced sentence of 15 years. The women’s husbands are the last three detained, and they do not understand why.

While the women have had regular contact with Philippine authorities, namely the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), regarding the case, they said the last time they were able to speak to their legal counsel was January.

“Maayos naman ang kanilang kalagayan, bagkus nahihirapan lang po ‘yung kanilang damdamin kasi ‘yun nga po, gusto naman po nilang makauwi sa Pilipinas, at gusto po nilang makapiling kaming pamilya po,” said Marie, whose husband suffers from diabetes.

(They are fine, but they are also having a difficult time because they want to come home to the Philippines, and they want to be with us, their families.)

Accomplices of big fishing operators in the government should be held accountable, fisherfolk and allied groups say
Bring Duterte home? Marcos says reconciliation can’t come with conditions

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says that while he does want to reconcile with the Dutertes, it should be a conversation, not a ‘demand’
Marcos says he’s open to reconciling with Dutertes

In a podcast shared on his Facebook page, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he needed friends rather than enemies as he seeks to use the remaining three years of his term to deliver on his agenda

Joy said she has had difficulties explaining to her children the situation with their father.

“‘Yung eldest ko, hindi po masyadong nakikipag-usap sa akin. Pero alam ko po naaapektuhan siya kasi dati po napapasama siya sa mga honors’ list, pero ngayon po, bumaba na grades niya,” said Joy.