THE Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday, July 30, that 19 Filipino seafarers have been detained in Mexico for questioning over alleged violations of that country's illegal drug law.
No formal charges have been filed against any of the 19 Filipinos, the DFA said in a bulletin issued Tuesday.
The DFA said representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Mexico were able to speak with seven of the Filipino seafarers.
"The group is generally in good spirits, and informed the Embassy representatives that their families have been informed of what happened," the DFA said.
The Philippine Embassy in Mexico is also in close coordination with both Mexican authorities and the law firm representing the ship’s crew.
The Filipinos are among the 22 seafarers of Cypriot-flagged vessel UBC Savannah, which docked at Altamira Port in Mexico on July 27, 2019. Three other seafarers are Polish nationals.
They were detained "due to alleged violations of the country’s illegal drug law."
"The DFA stands ready to provide any form of assistance, including legal assistance if still necessary, to protect the Filipino seafarers’ right to be heard in court," the department said.
"However, should they be found to be guilty by the proper court of the charges against them, they have to face the legal consequences of their actions," it added.
In the same bulletin, the DFA reminded Filipinos to follow the laws of their countries of destination. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)