By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said an investigation by South Korean authorities is underway on the Norwegian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Lunita that was busted for carrying two tons of suspected cocaine.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega confirmed that the ship is 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 (if there is a) determination of probable cause that it’s 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 in 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 Philippines Embassies in Seoul and Oslo. (PNA)
