Seven Filipino sailors return home after being freed from Libya detention

BY Libyan Express Mar 11, 2019 - 13:52

Filipino sailors pose for a picture. [Photo: Internet]

Seven Filipino sailors, who have been recently released from prison in Libya, are now on their way home to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Monday, according to Filipino media outlets.

Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Affairs Abdullah Mamao met with the Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala in Tripoli on Sunday, when he delivered a letter from the Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin to facilitate the return of the sailors.

The seven Filipino seamen then left Libya with Mamao, who expressed his gratitude to the Libyan authorities.

The sailors have been detained in Libya since 2017.

The seven were among the 20 Filipinos arrested after the Libyan Coast Guard boarded and seized Liberian-flagged M/T Levante while anchored in international waters.

The 20 Filipino seafarers were then held on charges of trying to smuggle fuel.

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