Palace orders rescue of RP seamen abducted in Somalia
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the immediate release of 14 Filipino seafarers on board a Malaysian fishing vessel that was hijacked off Somalia by pirates, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Friday.
Somali pirates abduct 16 RP seamen in one week
Although Somali pirates are armed with high-powered guns, Nelson Ramirez, president of the United Filipino Seafarers, said it is unlikely that they would harm the Filipino seafarers.
Pirates guard the crew of the Chinese fishing vessel FV Tianyu 8 as it sailed through the Indian Ocean on Nov. 13, 2008. Three Filipino seafarers were on board the ship. The ship and crew have since been released. US Navy file photo
"They (pirates) are not there to harm them (seafarers) because they are their leverage," Ramirez told GMANews.TV on Friday.
According to Ramirez, shipowners are often forced to give out more ransom money for the safe release of its crew.
But last year, Filipino seafarer Jason Dumagat died on board the Malaysian ship MT Bunga Melati when he was hit by a stray bullet from the boarding Somali pirates.
- Are Somali pirates gentle kidnappers? Read more
“The President has directed the DFA to immediately look into the situation (and) do everything possible to help, ensure (the) safety, and secure (the) safe release of the 14 Pinoys held hostage," Remonde said at a press briefing in Malacañang.
The 14 Filipino seafarers, along with seven Ukrainian seamen, were on board the Greek-owned bulk carrier named MV Delvina when it was hijacked on the way to Mombasa in Kenya.
Remonde said that the President has already asked Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. to coordinate with the Tanzanian government with the rescue of the Filipino seafarers.
He added that Arroyo has also ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to attend to the needs of the families of the affected seafarers.
Last October 29, the Malaysian fishing vessel Thai Union 3, which had two Filipino crew members on board, was likewise seized about 200 nautical miles north of Seychelles by pirates. The vessel also had two Ghanaian and 23 Russian crew members.
The DFA said it has already instructed the Philippine Embassies in Singapore and Nairobi to assist in securing the safe release of the two Filipino seamen on board Thai Union 3, adding that the vessel’s local manning agency has assured that the crew is currently in good condition.
A total of Filipino 38 Filipino seafarers are currently held captive abroad, with 36 in the hands of Somali pirates and the remaining two with Nigerian militants.
Filipinos are identified as one of the most vulnerable nationalities to pirate abductions since they compose one-third of the world’s shipping manpower requirement or an estimated 350,000 seafarers. - GMANews.TV
Although Somali pirates are armed with high-powered guns, Nelson Ramirez, president of the United Filipino Seafarers, said it is unlikely that they would harm the Filipino seafarers.
Pirates guard the crew of the Chinese fishing vessel FV Tianyu 8 as it sailed through the Indian Ocean on Nov. 13, 2008. Three Filipino seafarers were on board the ship. The ship and crew have since been released. US Navy file photo
"They (pirates) are not there to harm them (seafarers) because they are their leverage," Ramirez told GMANews.TV on Friday.
According to Ramirez, shipowners are often forced to give out more ransom money for the safe release of its crew.
But last year, Filipino seafarer Jason Dumagat died on board the Malaysian ship MT Bunga Melati when he was hit by a stray bullet from the boarding Somali pirates.
The 14 Filipino seafarers, along with seven Ukrainian seamen, were on board the Greek-owned bulk carrier named MV Delvina when it was hijacked on the way to Mombasa in Kenya.
Remonde said that the President has already asked Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. to coordinate with the Tanzanian government with the rescue of the Filipino seafarers.
He added that Arroyo has also ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to attend to the needs of the families of the affected seafarers.
Last October 29, the Malaysian fishing vessel Thai Union 3, which had two Filipino crew members on board, was likewise seized about 200 nautical miles north of Seychelles by pirates. The vessel also had two Ghanaian and 23 Russian crew members.
The DFA said it has already instructed the Philippine Embassies in Singapore and Nairobi to assist in securing the safe release of the two Filipino seamen on board Thai Union 3, adding that the vessel’s local manning agency has assured that the crew is currently in good condition.
A total of Filipino 38 Filipino seafarers are currently held captive abroad, with 36 in the hands of Somali pirates and the remaining two with Nigerian militants.
Filipinos are identified as one of the most vulnerable nationalities to pirate abductions since they compose one-third of the world’s shipping manpower requirement or an estimated 350,000 seafarers. - GMANews.TV
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