MANILA, Philippines — The families of three Filipino seafarers detained in Algeria have appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to intervene and secure justice for their loved ones, following what they described as an unjust conviction by Algerian authorities. In a press release and a recent press conference, the seafarers’ wives called for urgent diplomatic and legal assistance, urging the Philippine government to take stronger action to ensure a fair trial and protect the rights of the accused Filipinos abroad.

The three seafarers were part of eight Filipino crew members arrested on July 28, 2023, after Algerian authorities discovered approximately 35.8 kilograms of cocaine onboard the commercial vessel CV Harris while it was docked at the Port of Algiers. Although all eight crew members were initially detained, five were eventually released, leaving three still in custody. The detained individuals have been identified as the ship’s Chief Officer, Bosun, and an Ordinary Seaman. Their families and employers strongly maintain that the seafarers had no involvement in the alleged illegal activity and were merely carrying out their assigned duties at the time of the incident.

In February 2026, an Algerian court sentenced the three Filipinos to 10 years in prison a reduced penalty from the originally proposed 15-year sentence. They are currently being held at El Berrouaghia prison, located approximately 100 kilometers south of the capital city of Algiers. Despite the court’s decision, the families continue to assert that the ruling was made without sufficient evidence, emphasizing that all the crew members had clean records prior to the incident and no history of involvement in criminal activities.

The families also raised concerns about what they described as inconsistencies in the handling of the case. One of the key issues highlighted was the alleged exclusion of the ship’s captain, a European national, from arrest and prosecution, despite the long-standing principle of command responsibility in maritime operations. They also questioned why only three of the eight Filipino crew members remain detained, while the others were allowed to return to the Philippines. According to them, the three seafarers have been unfairly singled out and made to bear responsibility for an offense they did not commit.

As the case progresses, the families are pinning their hopes on the Philippine government’s intervention and the upcoming decision of Algeria’s Supreme Court, which is expected within the next few months, with the final trial anticipated by October. They are also calling for greater awareness within the maritime industry regarding the risks faced by Filipino seafarers, particularly the possibility of being wrongfully implicated in drug-related cases abroad. For the families, the fight is not only for the freedom of their loved ones but also for the protection and fair treatment of all Filipino seafarers working overseas.