Pinoy seamen freed in Somalia

MANILA, Philippines – Five Filipino seamen who were among the crew of a cargo ship hijacked off the coast of Somalia in May have been freed by the hijackers, an embassy report said yesterday.

In his report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Ambassador to the Netherlands Romeo Arguelles said Reider Shipping, the Dutch owner of M/V Amiya Scan, has confirmed the release of the vessel and its crew by Somali pirates.

All crew are in “fine condition,” the Russian captain of the ship informed its owner.

“The ship is now cruising in the direction of the Suez Canal,” the DFA said.

Following the hijacking, the Philippine government appealed to Somalia to refrain from using force against the hijackers of the M/V Amiya Scan that was manned by Filipino and Russian crewmembers.

Crescente Relacion, executive director of he Migrant Workers Affairs of the DFA, said the Philippines called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis after receiving a report that Somalian government forces were heading to the Gulf of Aden where the ship was hijacked last May 26.  – Pia Lee-Brago