Somali pirates free Philippine tanker with 23 crew members onboard

Manila: A Philippine shipping company said Somali pirates have freed a tanker and its crew of 23 Filipinos after holding them hostage for more than five months.

Capt. Dexter Custodio said the vessel was released Tuesday.

Custodio is the spokesman for Sagana Shipping Inc., owner of the MT Stolt Strength.

The tanker was seized on November 10, 2008, when Somali pirates swarmed aboard as it sailed through the Gulf of Aden while hauling a cargo of phosphoric acid destined for Japan.

Custodio refused to say if a ransom had been paid.