RP working for Pinoys release in Somalia

MANILA, Philippines – Five Filipino seafarers were among the crew of a ship that was hijacked off the coast of Somalia on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya reported to the Home Office that five Filipino seamen were among the crew of the MV Amiya Scan, a Dutch-owned, Panama-flagged freight ship.

But the DFA withheld the identities of the seamen until the families are notified of the incident.

“The DFA has instructed the embassies in Nairobi and The Hague to coordinate with international maritime authorities and the ship owners on efforts to secure the safe and early release of the crew,” DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal said.      – Pia Lee Brago