Another 20 Filipino crewmembers released by Somali pirates

MANILA, Philippines – Somali pirates released on Thursday night the 20 Filipino crewmembers of bulk carrier M/V Stella Maris, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday.

DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. said the Panama-flagged, Japan-operated bulk carrier, with its 20 man all-Filipino crew, was freed by Somali pirates around 11 p.m. Manila time.

Conejos said all crewmembers are safe and well.

The ship, which was seized in the Gulf of Aden last July 20, was headed for Muscat after its release.

The DFA said the released Filipino seamen were Mstr Ariel Villanueva, 46, of Aklan; C/M Huxley Gocolano, 36, of Iloilo; 2/M Ramonito Batan Jr., 36, of Quezon; 3/M Conrado Mangosing, 32, of Nueva Ecija; C/E Alfredo Comoda, 51, of Malabon; A/E Juancho Gavilla, 46, of Iloilo; 2/AE Vicente Ventura, 49, of Negros Occidental; 3 A/E Carlos Roman Jr., 32, of Camarines Sur; Elect Rodulfo Lasmarias, 54, of Parañaque; BSN Joel Florendo, 39, of Quezon City; Olr/1 Panfilo Tamoso, 44, of Aklan; AB Marvin Molea, 33, of Agusan Norte; AB Michael Vedua, 38, of Rizal; Olr Reynaldo Ganzon, 38, of Capiz; Olr Norberto Nocon, 27, of Aklan; OS Riel Maglinte, 30, of Misamis Occidental; OS Jennifer Sambajon, 24, of Albay; C/CK Leo Navejas, 36, of Aklan; MSM Lorenzo Solinap, 28, of Cavite; and AB Albert Pondang, 39, of Cavite.

The DFA and the shipowner are coordinating for the repatriation of the seamen.

The 19-man crew, including 15 Filipino seamen, of the chemical tanker M/T Irene was released by Somali pirates Wednesday night.

Irene was hijacked last Aug. 21, also in the Gulf of Aden.

There are 47 Filipino seamen still being held by Somali pirates from four other ships – M/T Iran Deyanat, M/T Stolt Valor, M/T Centauri and M/T Capt. Stefanos – that were hijacked in the Gulf of Aden.

Meantime, Vice President and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Noli de Castro yesterday said the Philippines is hopeful that the United Nations Security Council’s resolution urging the international community to send naval ships and military aircraft to confront pirates off the coast of Somalia would abate if not totally eradicate the incidents of piracy.