17 seamen released by Somali pirates due in RP today

MANILA, Philippines - The 17 Filipino seafarers aboard the Taiwanese fishing vessel Win Far 161, held captive by Somali pirates for more than 10 months, are scheduled to arrive in Manila this morning from Kaoshiung, Taiwan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The fishing vessel was hijacked on April 6, 2009 off the coast of Seychelles and released on Feb. 11. The Win Far 161 holds the record for the vessel with Filipino crewmen held captive for the longest period by Somali pirates, according to the DFA.

Eighteen other Filipino seafarers aboard Greek-owned, Panama-flagged M/V Navios Apollon were released from captivity in Somalia on Feb. 28. The ship’s owner is currently arranging the crew’s repatriation to the Philippines.

Five Filipino seafarers are still being held captive by Somali pirates as the ships’ principals and local manning agencies work for their release, the DFA said.

Two seamen are aboard the Thai Union 3 while three others are aboard the M/V St. James Park.

The DFA said this is the lowest number of Filipino seafarers held captive by Somali pirates in recent times.     – Pia Lee-Brago