Report: 19 freed Pinoy seamen arrive home

After a seven-month ordeal at the hands of pirates, 19 Filipino seafarers finally returned home to the Philippines over the weekend. Radio dzBB reported Monday the 19 arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Sunday aboard an Emirates flight, a week after they were released. The 19 were among 23 seafarers aboard the Greek-owned MV Eleni-P that pirates released earlier this month, the report said. Last week, the 19 Filipino seafarers serving aboard the Liberian-flagged ship regained their freedom after Somali pirates released their vessel. Pirates hijacked the vessel last May 12, 50 nautical miles off the coast of Oman. The vessel was on its way to Kandla, India. Along with the Filipino crew members are two Romanians and one Indian national. — RSJ, GMANews.TV