PHL condemns Somali pirates for killing OFW

(updated 10:52 p.m.) The Philippine departments of Labor and Employment and Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned Somali pirates for the killing of a Filipino overseas worker, saying it was a deplorable and “senseless disregard for human life." Somali pirates last Jan. 26 shot and killed Farolito Vallega onboard the m/v Beluga Nomination, a German-owned cargo ship the pirates hijacked off the coast of Seychelles four days earlier on Jan. 22, according to the Labor department. Vallegas’ killing prompted the Philippine government to raise its concerns on piracy at a United Nations meeting Feb. 17 and 28, with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. addressing the UN Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Conejos will ask the group to encourage closer coordination between the Combined Maritime Forces and independent deployers, shorter rapid response time in coming to the aid of pirated vessels, and improvement of best management practices. The Feb. 17 meeting will be held in London, and the Feb. 28 meeting in Washington D.C., the Foreign Affairs Department said. Sending the Foreign Affairs undersecretary to the UN meetings stemmed from an inter-agency meeting in Malacañang chaired by Deputy Executive Secretary Jose Amorado, specifically because of Vallega's death. The inter-agency looked at the ramifications of the incident on the safety of Filipino seafarers, especially those onboard ships passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. Outrage against an unspeakable crime “We express outrage over this senseless disregard for human life and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocity of the Somali pirates," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a statement e-mailed to reporters. DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya in a separate statement late Tuesday said Vallega was one of 121 Filipino seamen being held captive in 11 vessels by Somali pirates since early last year. "We condemn in no uncertain terms the killing of Mr. Farolito Vallega, a man who was merely doing his job and making an honest living for his family," Malaya said. "His death is an unspeakable crime against an innocent person and adds to the list of heinous crimes already committed by these pirates. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to his family," said a DFA statement late Tuesday. Baldoz also commiserated with the seaman's family. “We are saddened by this tragic incident, and deeply condole with the family and relatives of the deceased Filipino seaman," Baldoz also said. With this incident, the department said it will implement an action plan that consists of measures to safeguard and protect Filipino seafarers on board ships sailing through the pirate-infested waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. “I have instructed Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration to extend all possible assistance and monetary benefits to his family, and she has reported that the OWWA had already acted accordingly," said Baldoz. Killed in a fit of anger According to a report by Marlow Navigation Philippines Inc., Beluga Nomination’s manning agency, Vallega, 48, was shot by pirates apparently in a “fit of anger" as elements of the Combined Maritime Forces — the international anti-piracy contingent patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Aden — assaulted the cargo ship and attempted to rescue its crew. Onboard the ship was 12 crewmembers, including seven Filipinos. Russian, Ukranian and Pole were other nationalities onboard Beluga Nomination. One of the Filipinos, Ferdinand Aquino, a cook, had escaped by jumping overboard with a Ukranian crew. They were eventually rescued by a Danish frigate. Four Filipinos remain captive by the pirates, according to the report. Another Filipino seaman, Elviro Salazar, 26, was reported missing. The ship owner reportedly continued to negotiate for the release of the hostages while international maritime groups were scouring the sea in search of Salazar. Call for release of captives The DFA has called on all parties to release the Filipinos and other seafarers of different nationalities. The United Nations Security Council has passed two resolutions, one of which authorizes developed countries such as the US and members of the European Union to deploy heavily armed navy patrol ships in the pirate infested waters off Somalia. "The DFA supports more robust international action against piracy. We also call on vessel owners to adopt best management practices to deter piracy attacks," Malaya said. “I have directed the OWWA to provide the necessary package of assistance to Mr. Aquino and his family, as well as to the family of Mr. Salazar," Baldoz said. The Labor Department and its tripartite partners in the private sector are closely working together to ensure that Filipino seafarers get better protection against sea pirates and are calling for firmer, decisive international action against piracy on the high seas. — VS, GMA News