15 Pinoy seamen freed by Somali pirates

MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen Filipino seafarers were among the crew of the Italian-flagged bulk carrier MV Rosalia D’ Amato released by Somali pirates from captivity on Nov. 25, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the department was informed on Sunday by the local manning agency of Rosalia D’Amato of the release.

Somali pirates hijacked the vessel 350 nautical miles east of Salalah, Oman on April 21.

The families of the Filipino seafarers were already informed of their release.

After the release of the ship from captivity, Rosalia D’ Amato sailed towards the port of Salalah where the crewmembers were to undergo medical checkup and debriefing.

Hernandez said the repatriation of the Filipino crewmembers is yet to be scheduled by the principal and manning agency.

To date, a total of 26 Filipino seafarers in three vessels are held captive by Somali pirates.

5 Pinays rescued from white slavery

In a related development, the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, China rescued five Filipino women victimized by white slavery in China.

The Quanzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) and Quanzhou Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Fujian, China assisted in the rescue operation on Nov. 25, 2011.          

The DFA received information on the ordeal of the victims on Nov. 25.                           

A request was also received by the consulate from DFA Mindanao and DFA spokesman Hernandez who provided the consulate with the address and cellphone numbers of the victims.

Xiamen Consul General Adel Cruz called one of the victims at around 3:30 p.m. and instructed her to leave the apartment immediately with four companions. They were instructed to meet with FAO and PSB officials in a restaurant adjacent to the apartment.                   

At 4:20 p.m., Chinese officials confirmed that the five Filipinos were already with them.    

An hour later, Chinese police raided the apartment of the victims. Apprehended were five Chinese and a Filipina, the wife of one of the Chinese. At around 11 p.m., police officers started questioning the Filipinos, after which they were brought to the Xiamen consulate premises.