By Veronica Uy
Five Filipino seamen have been acquitted by a Turkish court on charges of smuggling marijuana into Turkey, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.
In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim Guinomla said that on August 22, the 14th criminal court in Istanbul found no evidence to substantiate the charge against Captain Reynaldo Derige, Second Officer Julio Cagampan, Chief Engineer Othoniel Bungalso, Chief Officer Alberto Jose, and Bosun Francisco E. Pontillas.
Marijuana encased in metal containers was found attached to the bottom of the ship Federal Fuji, which Derige and his crew were manning.
When it docked in Turkey on May 11, the ship was raised in a shipyard for routine maintenance. It was during this time that Derige saw the metal containers. He immediately called the attention of the authorities; the court took this action by Derige into account when it acquitted him and the other seafarers, Guinomla said.
source: The Philippine Daily InquirerLinkback:
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