Seamen warned on increased Somali pirate attacks

MANILA, Philippines -  The local seafaring industry yesterday warned departing Filipino seamen of a cyclical increase in attacks by Somali pirates during the monsoon season.

Eduardo Santos, an official of the Association of Marine Officers Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), said kidnapping operations in pirate-infested areas escalate during the monsoon season, when the sea is calm and pirates can intensify their illegal activity.

“The monsoon season starts from October and ends in March and it is a season considered to be a better condition for pirates,” Santos said. “We have also observed that piracy problems have been cyclical during the monsoon season.”

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that a total of 420 Filipino seafarers have been held hostage by Somali pirates from July 2008 to December 2009.

Of this figure, 74 are still in captivity, including 21 seafarers who were abducted last Dec. 28.

According to labor officials, those who have been held hostage for the longest time are 17 Filipino fishermen caught while poaching in Somalian waters in April 2009.

“The release is taking long because there are legal issues involved, which is the question on illegal fishing,” labor officials said.

To protect Filipino seafarers from kidnappings, the government is requiring all departing seamen to undertake anti-piracy training starting Feb. 1.

Despite the resurgence of kidnappings in Somalia, the Philippine government and local manning agencies are pushing a gun ban for all Filipino seafarers. Officials said using firearms may exacerbate the situation and put more lives in danger.

Aside from the anti-piracy training, the government and the manning agencies have also agreed to extend psycho-social counseling and support services for the abducted seafarers and their families. – Mayen Jaymalin