Seafarers home after Somali hostage ordeal

MANILA, Philippines - After four years of suffering at the hands of Somali pirates, five Filipino seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 yesterday afternoon.

Arnel Pregillana Balbero, Elmer Salvador Balbero, Ferdinand Jacinto Dalit, Akes Tiningal Edwas Jr. and Antonio Auxetero Libres Jr. were met at the terminal by their families.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Hans Leo Cacdac welcomed the five seafarers, who were recently released from captivity.

Yasay also welcomed four Cambodians who were released by the Somali pirates. The Cambodians were given permission to stay in the country until representatives from their government pick them up. 

Arnel said the Somali pirates treated them like “animals,” feeding them only “arina at konting beans (starch and some beans)” twice a day. 

The five seafarers will receive P100,000 each and undergo psychosocial counseling, officials said.