20 kidnapped Pinoy seamen in Somalia freed

Twenty Filipino seamen kidnapped by pirates in Somalia in March have been released and are on their way home, officials said yesterday.

The men were freed unharmed on Saturday, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether any ransom had been paid, said Roy Cimatu, the government’s special envoy to the Middle East.

"I am not privy to their negotiations, but piracy is rampant there. So most likely ransom was paid. Almost all shipping lines pay ransom," Cimatu told The Associated Press.

Cimatu, head of the Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT), said in a press briefing yesterday that the sailors were held hostage in a pirate-infested area where abduction has become "profitable."

The men were seized after their oil tanker, the United Arab Emirates-registered M/T Lin1, offloaded its cargo at a southern Somali port on March 29, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said the owners of the ship, the Akron Trade and Transport Co. based in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates, negotiated for the men’s release.

It said the company’s representative, Manoj Sabharwal, informed the Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates that all crew members were safe and none required medical attention.

They were expected to arrive in Fujairah next week, the department said.

Piracy in Somalia rose sharply last year, with 35 reported incidents compared to two in 2004, according to the International Maritime Bureau. The bandits target both passenger and cargo vessels for ransom or to loot.

The DFA earlier tapped the Red Crescent to supply food and water to the Filipino seamen who were detained by Somali gunmen aboard the oil tanker.

Consul General Antonio Curameng spoke with Captain Pablo Buaya, the Filipino captain of the M/T Lin 1, who informed him that the crew members are all in good health and were not harmed by their captors.

The 20 Filipino crew members of the M/T Lin 1 are: Pablo Buaya (Master); Julius Nidera (Deck Officer); Adonnis Corales (Deck Officer); Perfecto Narcisco (Chief Engineer); Nelson Gipulla (Engine Officer); Gil Paradero (Engine Officer); Ricardo Somido (Electrician); Meynard Garcia (Pumpman); Gregorio Ilagan (Pumpman); Ramier Casapao (Bosun); Ryan Solis (A/B); Ronnie Mendoza (A/B); John Alderete (A/B); Alex Genanda (A/B); Even Acain (A/B); Rolando Cogama (Fitter); Deogracia Manalo (Oiler); Vicente Echavez (Oiler); Alejandre Aluag (Oiler); and Macario Castillo (Cook). — AP, Pia Lee-Brago