Philstar
Palace orders swift aid for Filipinos with cases in China, South Korea
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered swift legal assistance for Filipinos facing criminal charges in China and South Korea, building on recent successful diplomatic efforts for OFWs in Qatar.
The directive aims to protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers amid reports of 20 Filipino seafarers allegedly involved in smuggling cocaine from South America to East Asia.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that the Filipino crew members are under investigation for their potential involvement in the international drug operation.
Cacdac assured that the implicated seafarers are entitled to legal defense and are presumed innocent, with the Philippine government providing legal counsel alongside the ship owner's support.
Topics in this story
Explore more stories about these topics.
🤖
This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.
News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Malacañang has assured that all necessary assistance will be provided to three Filipinos arrested in China for alleged espionage, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro.
Read more →
Twenty Filipino seafarers aboard the Norwegian-flagged MV Lunita are not facing charges as South Korean authorities investigate the vessel for suspected drug smuggling.
+1
Read more →
The Philippines, through the DFA's legal assistance fund, has provided a local lawyer to defend three Filipinos detained in China and accused of spying.
+1
Read more →
Three Filipino nationals have been arrested in Beijing for allegedly gathering classified information on China's military for Philippine intelligence agencies.
+2
Read more →
Twenty Filipino seafarers, including the captain, are under investigation in South Korea after approximately two tons of cocaine were discovered aboard their ship, the Norwegian-flagged M/V Lunita.
+2
Read more →