DFA: 81 Pinoys still held captive by Somali pirates

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday it continues to provide assistance to Filipino seafarers held captive by Somali pirates, even as 81 Filipinos remain onboard hijacked ships. In a statement posted on its website, the DFA said its Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) is coordinating with the Philippine Embassies involved and the manning agencies for updates on negotiations, as well as to ensure the safety of the seafarers. “The OUMWA also ensures that the manning agency continue to give the salaries and other financial benefits of the seafarers to their families here. They also meet with the families to update them on the condition of their captive next of kin," the DFA said. Based on DFA records, 45 vessels with a total of 542 Filipino seafarers onboard have been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden since 2006. To date, 461 seafarers onboard 39 vessels have been released, while 81 remain in captivity. “There was no incident in the past cases that a Filipino seafarer was intentionally hurt by the pirates," the DFA added. The department likewise clarified it is against government policy for the DFA to directly negotiate with the pirates, saying the manning agencies and the ships’ principals are the ones ensuring the safe release of the ships’ crew. The government earlier sent military liaison officer Navy Lt. Gaudencio Collado to coordinate with the Joint Naval Forces on anti-piracy efforts at the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The DFA is likewise pushing for the country’s membership in the United Nations Contact Group on Piracy. Earlier, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York and Charge d'Affaires Carlos D. Sorreta urged the UN Security Council for greater global cooperation in the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia “The security, protection and welfare of Filipino seafarers have always been the primary concerns of the Philippine Government — concerns which I am sure are shared by others with nationals serving on these ships," he said in the UN Security Council meeting held last August 25. Sorreta also recognized that piracy is rooted in the current political and security situation in Somalia. "Piracy is a grave threat to international security and we join others in citing the importance of addressing its roots causes through a comprehensive approach. We are grateful to the many countries involved and committed to this task," he stressed.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV