Somali pirates release 17 Pinoy seafarers

Ten months after their capture, at least 17 Filipino seafarers aboard a Taiwanese-flagged vessel were released off the coast of Somalia Thursday afternoon. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the fishing vessel FV Win Far 161 was hijacked on April 6, 2009 off the coast of Seychelles by Somali pirates. "Before it was released yesterday, it was the longest held vessel with Filipino crew," the DFA said on its website. The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) coordinated with the owner of the fishing vessel based in Taiwan, who verified the seafarers’ release. It said the vessel owner said the Filipino crew were all in good condition, and is currently arranging for the crew's repatriation to the Philippines. On the other hand, there are still 23 Filipinos held captive off Somalia on-board three vessels. Of these, two are on-board the Thai Union 3, three are on-board the MV St. James Park and 18 are on-board the MV Navios Apollon. The DFA-OUMWA continues to coordinate closely with the local manning agencies for the early and safe release of all these seafarers.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV