19 seafarers return after Somalia ordeal

MANILA, Philippines - Nineteen Filipino seamen, who were on board M/V Eleni P when pirates hijacked it off the coast of Somalia last May 12, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Saturday night.

Second engineer Roberto Cuarteros, the highest-ranked Filipino seafarer on the Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned vessel, said they were on their way to China when they were attacked.

He said their Greek captain, Nikolaos Trikous, tried to evade the pirates and call the European Union Naval Force in Somalia for assistance, but the pirates overran their vessel and brought them to a port along the Somali coast.

Asked whether the owner of the hijacked vessel paid ransom, Cuarteros said yes, adding that the pirates told them it was only business.

Crew members said the pirates gave them a limited supply of food and took away their medicines and personal belongings.

Other Filipinos on the Eleni P were Eugene Dedal, Edgar Ramos, Leonardo Estrella, John Romero, Andres Tomembang, Robert Landicho, Isagani Mutuc, Ariel Santillan, Jose Calamba, Porferio Tabaquirao, Nolasco Saclo, Allan Famadico, Roel Oswa, Rommel Ayuyang, Ruben Espino, Mariano Tayoni, Renato Sagun and Randy Lira.