By Joyce Ann Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
In a statement on Tuesday (April 7), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said an investigation by South Korean authorities is underway on the Norwegian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Lunita that was flagged for carrying two tons of suspected cocaine.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega confirmed that the ship was being manned by Filipino crew at the time of the raid.
The crew members, he said, are not detained and on board the vessel but are under investigation by local authorities.
“The South Koreans are still investigating—if may determination of probable cause; that if it is their responsibility (that) they were trafficking drugs, then they’ll be charged, most probably detained,” he said.
“Right now, they are not detained; they are on board as of now.”
M/V Lunita was at Okgye Port in Gangneung, Gangwon province, when the Korea Customs Service and Korea Coast Guard carried out a joint raid on April 2, based on a tip-off from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Local reports said South Korean authorities discovered the vessel was carrying 57 boxes of suspected cocaine.
De Vega said the ship owner has already provided the Filipino crew members a lawyer but the DFA stands ready to provide legal assistance should the main agency handling the case, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), require.
He said the DFA is currently waiting for the official report of the Philippine Embassies in Seoul and Oslo. (PNA)
