PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the welfare and immediate release of some 14 Filipino seafarers who were abducted Thursday by suspected pirates off the coast of Tanzania.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President directed Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Esteban Conejos Jr. to immediately coordinate with the Tanzanian government in seeking the rescue of the Filipino seafarers who were on board cargo ship “Delvina,” which was hi-jacked some east of the Tanzanian coast.

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Arroyo also ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) to attend to needs of the families of the affected seafarers.

“The President has directed the DFA… to immediately look into the situation to do everything possible to help the, ensure safety and secure safe release of the 14 Pinoys held hostage. The President has also instructed the OWWA to attend to the welfare of their families in this time of crisis,” he said.

The Greek cargo ship was on its way to Mombasa in Kenya to deliver wheat from the Mediterranean when it was hi-jacked. (JMR/Sunnex)