Somali pirates free tanker with 14 Pinoy crewmen

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday announced that Somali pirates have released an oil tanker with 14 Filipino crewmen on board.

The DFA said that the Greek-owned and Liberian flagged oil tanker Smyrni, with a total of 26 crews, was released last March 9. The vessel was hijacked off the coast of Oman last May 10, 2012.

"All of the crew members are in good physical condition," the DFA said in a statement.

It said that the vessel and its crew was en route to Salalah in Oman, where the Filipino crew members will be met by representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and their manning agency.

"The crew will undergo medical check-up as soon as they arrive at the Port of Salalah," the DFA said.

The DFA said that nine more Filipino crew members from two ships are still being held by Somali pirates.