Bello: Government to secure release of kidnapped Pinoy seafarers

MANILA, Philippines — Negotiations are ongoing to secure the immediate and safe release of four Filipino seafarers who were kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea last week, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is undertaking the negotiation.

A Maritime Executive report said 15 crew members of MT Davide B, a Maltese-flagged chemical tanker, were kidnapped by nine armed pirates after boarding the vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.

Initial reports said the vessel had 21 crew aboard, including Romanians and Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported that the 10 Filipino seafarers who were abandoned by their employer in Fiji are awaiting repatriation.

POEA chief Bernard Olalia said he ordered the suspension of the license of the local manning agency that deployed the Filipino seamen.

“The manning agency failed to regularly monitor the condition of the seafarers that’s why we imposed disciplinary actions. Until the suspension is lifted, they are barred from deploying seafarers abroad,” Olalia said.

He said the seamen’s foreign employer was also found liable and thus blacklisted from recruiting Filipino seafarers.

The DFA is coordinating with the government of New Zealand for the repatriation of the seafarers from Fiji, according to Olalia.

He said the POEA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration would extend assistance to the families of the seafarers.