5 seafarers back in RP after serving sentence for drugs

MANILA, Philippines - Five Filipino seafarers who were detained in Martinique for drug trafficking were repatriated to the Philippines Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The five seamen were aboard the M/V Master Endeavor were detained in Martinique on March 22, 2006 on drug trafficking charges after French Navy and customs officials discovered 1.8 tons of cocaine hidden in the vessel’s water tank on Feb. 27, 2006.

Also onboard the ship are six more Filipinos, including the ship’s captain. They were found guilty of the charges in February and the French court imposed sentences ranging from five years to 14 years’ imprisonment.

The Philippine government made strong representations with the French authorities, who effected the reduction of sentences and early release of the seafarers.

Earlier, two seafarers from M/V Master Endeavor were released and repatriated to the Philippines last March.