17 Pinoy seafarers released by Somali pirates

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday the release last Thursday of 17 Filipino seafarers on board a hijacked Taiwanese fishing boat after 10 months in captivity off the coast of Somalia.

Somali pirates seized the fishing vessel F/V Win Far 161 on April 6, 2009 off the coast of Seychelles.

The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs has coordinated with the owner of the fishing vessel based in Taiwan, who verified the report that the vessel and its Filipino crew were finally released last Feb. 11.

The vessel’s owner said that the Filipino seamen were all in good condition and the firm is arranging their repatriation to the Philippines. Details for the repatriation are still being coordinated.

Somali pirates are still holding 23 other Filipino seamen onboard three other hijacked vessels. 

Two Filipinos are still on board the Thai Union 3, three on the M/V St. James Park and 18 on the M/V Navios Apollon.

The DFA continues to coordinate closely with the local manning agencies for the early and safe release of all these seafarers.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) first reported yesterday that Somali pirates released on Thursday a Taiwanese fishing vessel and its crewmembers including 17 Filipinos.

MECO chairman Tomas Alcantara said the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday night that the 27 crewmembers, including the 17 Filipinos, were released in the afternoon and were en route to Port Lois in Mauritius.

Alcantara said the crewmen are expected to sail from Mauritius to the fishing vessel’s homeport in Kaohsiung.

MECO will coordinate with the DFA to ascertain whether the Filipino seamen need special medical care and travel arrangements.

Alcantara said MECO and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirmed that the dependents of the Filipino seamen received their salary.

The Win Far 161 carried a crew of 30, including 17 Filipinos, six Indonesians, five Chinese, and two Taiwanese.

MECO said the 27 crewmembers are safe but a Chinese sailor and two Indonesian crewmembers died while they were still in the hands of Somali pirates.