22 all-Pinoy crew of freed German ship arrive home
KIMBERLY JANE T. TAN, GMANews.TV
09/29/2009 | 05:23 PM
After almost six months of being away from their loved ones, the 22 all-Filipino crew of freed German ship MV Irene were finally reunited with their families in the Philippines on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya told GMANews.TV that the 22 Filipino seamen arrived Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on a flight from the Middle East.
SEAFARERS STILL HELD HOSTAGE
Win Far 161 - Hijacked April 6 with 17 Filipinos.
MV Charelle- Hijacked June 13 with 3 Filipinos.
Sichem Peace - Hijacked July 4 with 2 Filipinos.*
* Except for the Sichem Peace, all the ships mentioned are in the hands of pirates in Somalia.
- Data collected by GMANews.TV
“They were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, Jr. and officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Adminitration," he said. The DFA said they have already been brought to a local hospital to ensure their physical and psychological “well-being."
MV Irene, the St. Vincent-flagged merchant ship, was hijacked by Somali pirates off the Gulf of Aden last April 15. After more than five months, the ship was released by its captors.
Somali pirates often do not hurt their hostages and only demand a hefty ransom from ship owners. Last year, however, a Filipino seafarer died by accident when the Somali bandits boarded their ship. The body has since been repatriated.
In the case of MV Irene, its manning agency Bright Maritime Corp. said the vessel was escorted by the Royal Netherlands Navy ship “Evertsen" to safety after it was released. The all-Filipino crew was then examined by a medical doctor who proclaimed that all of them were well.
Chian Spirit, the ship’s principal, said the crew was also debriefed by a team of specialists.
Thankful
The DFA, in a separate statement, said it is thankful to the government of Netherlands and the Royal Netherlands Navy for escorting the German ship to safety and for providing medical assistance to the crew.
It added that it commends the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, the Philippine Embassy in Manama, the Philippine Embassy in Athens, and the Philippine Embassy in Muscat for doing their part in the release and repatriation of the seafarers.
The department also said it “lauds" the Chian Spirit Maritime Enterprises, Inc. and Bright Maritime Corp. for not wavering in bringing home these seafarers to their loved ones.
Filipinos are considered the most vulnerable to sea pirates as it comprises one-third of the world’s shipping manpower, or an estimated 350,000 seafarers.
Of the more than 600 crew on board 44 ships held for ransom by pirates in 2008, at least 208 were Filipinos, the International Maritime Organization said.
All Filipino captives have been freed eventually, but this year, Somali pirates also seized 233 Filipinos on board 16 vessels. At least 22 Filipino seafarers remain in captivity abroad. - GMANews.TV
DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya told GMANews.TV that the 22 Filipino seamen arrived Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on a flight from the Middle East.
Win Far 161 - Hijacked April 6 with 17 Filipinos.
MV Charelle- Hijacked June 13 with 3 Filipinos.
Sichem Peace - Hijacked July 4 with 2 Filipinos.*
* Except for the Sichem Peace, all the ships mentioned are in the hands of pirates in Somalia.
MV Irene, the St. Vincent-flagged merchant ship, was hijacked by Somali pirates off the Gulf of Aden last April 15. After more than five months, the ship was released by its captors.
Somali pirates often do not hurt their hostages and only demand a hefty ransom from ship owners. Last year, however, a Filipino seafarer died by accident when the Somali bandits boarded their ship. The body has since been repatriated.
In the case of MV Irene, its manning agency Bright Maritime Corp. said the vessel was escorted by the Royal Netherlands Navy ship “Evertsen" to safety after it was released. The all-Filipino crew was then examined by a medical doctor who proclaimed that all of them were well.
Chian Spirit, the ship’s principal, said the crew was also debriefed by a team of specialists.
Thankful
The DFA, in a separate statement, said it is thankful to the government of Netherlands and the Royal Netherlands Navy for escorting the German ship to safety and for providing medical assistance to the crew.
It added that it commends the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, the Philippine Embassy in Manama, the Philippine Embassy in Athens, and the Philippine Embassy in Muscat for doing their part in the release and repatriation of the seafarers.
The department also said it “lauds" the Chian Spirit Maritime Enterprises, Inc. and Bright Maritime Corp. for not wavering in bringing home these seafarers to their loved ones.
Filipinos are considered the most vulnerable to sea pirates as it comprises one-third of the world’s shipping manpower, or an estimated 350,000 seafarers.
Of the more than 600 crew on board 44 ships held for ransom by pirates in 2008, at least 208 were Filipinos, the International Maritime Organization said.
All Filipino captives have been freed eventually, but this year, Somali pirates also seized 233 Filipinos on board 16 vessels. At least 22 Filipino seafarers remain in captivity abroad. - GMANews.TV
