The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed the start of an investigation by South Korean authorities after suspected narcotics were found on board a foreign-flagged commercial vessel earlier this month.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said earlier this week that the Norwegian-registered bulk carrier Lunita was manned by Filipino crews when it was boarded by personnel of the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea Customs Service shortly upon its arrival at the Port of Okgye in Gangwon province on April 2.
De Vega added that the South Korean authorities had acted on intelligence supplied by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation stating that the ship was transporting drugs.
The joint coast guard-customs raiding team discovered 57 boxes of what they believe to be cocaine totalling two tonnes.
De Vega told reporters that the Filipino sailors are being investigated by the South Korean authorities but have not been detained and are still on board the vessel.
The ship's owner has already provided a lawyer who will represent the crew.
The DFA meanwhile said it will also be ready to assist should it be called upon to do so by the Department of Migrant Workers, which is the lead Philippine Government agency handling the case.