14 Filipino among 21 sailors freed by pirates in Somalia
The sailors were part of the crew of a bulk carrier
Manila: Fourteen Filipinos are among the 21 crew of a cargo ship released recently by pirates in Somalia, belated reports reaching the Philippine capital said.
A report Saturday by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), quoting sources from the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, said all 14 Filipinos aboard the Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier M/V Delvina are safe and in good health.
The 53,629 tonne vessel was heading to the Kenyan port city of Mombasa last November 5 when pirates seized it some 250 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.
Apart from the 14 Filipinos, the M/V Delvina's crew include some Ukranians.
The DFA said after the latest release of sailors, the number of Filipino seafarers aboard hijacked foreign vessels, off the coast of Somalia, has come down to 53.
The DFA added that the government continues to step up preventive and remedial efforts to address the continued increase in the number of piracy incidents and hostage-taking of Filipino seafarers off the coast of Somalia.
Recently, the Department of Labour and Employment announced its initiative to require Filipino seafarers to undergo anti-piracy training.
