Somali pirates seize vessel with Pinoy crewmembers

MANILA, Philippines - Somali pirates seized Wednesday a Liberia-flagged vessel with 19 Filipino crewmembers off the coast of Oman, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Citing a report of the Philippine embassy in Nairobi, the DFA said the Greek-owned MV Eleni P was hijacked 250 nautical miles off Oman while on its way to Kandla, India. 

Aside from Filipinos, the crew consists of two Romanians and one Indian, it said.

The European Union Naval Force, which is monitoring the situation, said the crewmen are safe.

The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs is closely coordinating with the vessel’s principal, the local manning agency and concerned Philippine embassies for the early resolution of the case.

There are now 63 Filipino seafarers on board five vessels being held captive by Somali pirates – including three onboard the MV St. James Park, one onboard MV Iceberg 1, 19 onboard the MT Samho Dream and 21 onboard MV Voc Daisy.