Somali official vows safe release of kidnapped Pinoy seafarers

MANILA, Philippines - Visiting Somali Deputy Prime Minister Abdurahman Aden Ibrahim Ibbi assured the Philippines yesterday that his government is working hard to secure the release of the remaining 53 Filipino seafarers being held hostage by pirates in Somalia.

“We share your deep concern. We’re working hard to ensure the release of the seafarers. We’ll do the best we can,” Ibbi said during the press briefing at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

He also welcomed Philippine efforts to provide anti-piracy training to Somalia’s maritime authorities.

Ibbi led a high-level delegation for a three-day visit to the Philippines from Dec. 21-23.

Somali Ambassador to Indonesia Mohamud Olow Barow and Somali Navy Commander Admiral Farah Ahmed Omar accompanied Ibbi on his visit to Manila upon the invitation of the Philippine government.

The DFA said this is the first visit to the Philippines of a high-ranking Somali official since the official visit of Somali Foreign Minister Abdurahman Jama Barre in January 1979.

Ibbi, who is also minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Somalia, met with officials of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Navy, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Civil Service Commission.

The DFA said the visit is an offshoot of President Arroyo’s meeting with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the sidelines of the African Union Special Summit in Tripoli, Libya last Aug. 31.

During the meeting, Mrs. Arroyo offered the Philippines’ assistance in training and strengthening the capabilities of the Somali Coast Guard and Civil Service.

The Philippines and Somalia discussed maritime security, search and rescue, law enforcement operations; combating piracy; marine environmental protection; aquaculture development; and human resource development.

As the supplier of about a third of the world’s shipping manpower, the Philippines is directly affected by the threat of piracy.

Somali pirates have hijacked various international vessels in recent years and the training of Somali maritime authorities may help curb piracy off the coast of Somalia.