Govt to help 17 abducted Pinoy seamen off Somalia, Pinay in Pakistan blast

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to look into the conditions of 17 Filipino seafarers who were among those on board a Greek ship hijacked near Somalia. The Palace also told the DFA and other concerned government agencies to extend assistance to a Filipina who was seriously injured during a suicide bomb attack at a hotel in Pakistan. Lorelei Fajardo, deputy presidential spokesperson, told reporters on Monday that the DFA might ban Filipino seafarers from boarding ships crossing Somali waters. "The Palace has ordered the appropriate government agencies to check on the conditions of the 17 Filipino seamen...In view of the continuing hijacking, DFA is determined to push for a deployment ban in Somalia waters," she said. Reports said pirates hijacked MV Captain Stephanos with 19 crew members on board composed of 17 Filipinos, a Chinese, and a Ukranian The DFA is now gathering more information on the incident including the whereabouts of the seamen, according to Fajardo. As this developed, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said assistance such as medical aid would be extended to the Filipina who was seriously hurt during a blast at the Mariott Hotel in Pakistan that so far killed 53 people and injured about 250 others. Ermita said the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad would be in charge of looking after the welfare of the Filipina, said to be a receptionist in the hotel and is married to a Pakistani citizen. Reports said the Filipina, who is reportedly in critical condition, was among the 21 foreigners that were injured in the Saturday night blast that resulted in a blaze. - GMANews.TV