15 more Pinoy seamen freed

MANILA, Philippines – The 19-man crew of the chemical tanker M/T Irene, among them 15 Filipino seamen, was freed by Somali pirates Wednesday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said the Japanese-operated, Panama-flagged Irene was released with its crew by Somali pirates around 11:30 p.m. Manila time.

Conejos said the ship sailed for Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates after it was freed.

All crewmembers are safe, he added.

The Irene was seized last Aug. 21 in the Gulf of Aden.

The DFA is coordinating with shipowners for the repatriation of the Filipino seamen.

The Filipino crewmembers of Irene are 2E Noel Estrella of Iloilo, 3E Darwin Enraca of Cavite, 3E Pedro Mucas of Iloilo, 4EJoey Caballero of Pangasinan, PFTR Pepe dela Cruz of Cavite, Bosn Joel Cepeda of Bacolod, AB Marlon Carino of Isabela, AB Vicente Panopio of Batangas, AB Cyrus Briton of Bacolod, Dtrn Sorrton Bolas of Benguet, MTM Esteban Abecia of Cagayan de Oro, MTM Edgar Asoque of Leyte, MTM Anthony Apon of Cavite, Cck Isidro San Diego of Bulacan, and MMN Danilo Labaro of Pangasinan.

On Saturday, 14 Filipino crewmembers of the Malaysian ships hijacked by Somali pirates in August, as well as the remains of the lone fatality in the two Somalia piracy cases, arrived in Manila.

The crewmembers of M/T Bunga Melati 2 and M/T Bunga Melati 5 were welcomed by Vice President Noli de Castro, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers.

The Malaysian tanker Bunga Melati 2, which was seized by Somali pirates last Aug. 19, was freed on Sept. 29 along with its remaining 38-man crew, including nine Filipinos and the remains of the Filipino seafarer.

Reports said five Filipino crewmembers and 31 other nationals manning the Bunga Melati 5 were released last week.

The five Filipinos are Eduardo Lasprillas, Aldrin Palomo, Manuel America Jr., Rhageb Salabao, and Ulyseise Maguslog.

Last Sept. 30, 39 crewmembers of the Bunga Melati 2 including 10 Filipinos, were also freed.

The DFA identified nine of the Filipino seamen as Romulo Buhayang, Ariel Obja-a, Rodolfo Buinanao Jr., Benito Adecer, Macario Pacione III. Ronan Maranan, Rading Maguan, Leo Andrew Sitjar, and Eleanor Madriaga.

There are 67 Filipino seamen still being held by Somali pirates from MV Stella Maris, M/T Iran Deyanat, MT Stolt Valor, MV Centauri and M/T Capt. Stefanos that were the seized in the Gulf of Aden.