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Friday, June 27, 2008
5 Pinoy hostages in Somalia released
MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday announced the release of five Filipino crewmembers of a Dutch ship hijacked off the coast of Somalia, after more than a month in captivity.
DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said the report was confirmed by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Romeo Arguelles, citing a statement from Reider Shipping, the Dutch owner of the freighter MV Amiya Scan, which was seized by Somali hijackers on May 26 (Manila Time).
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The merchant ship, MV Amiya Scan, is chartered by a Danish company, Scan-Trans Shipping, and sails under a Panamanian flag of convenience. The vessel left Kenya on May 19, and was heading for Romania when it was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden.
MV Amiya Scan has a crew composed of four Russians and five Filipinos. Its cargo was a decommissioned oil platform.
"Reider Shipping has confirmed that the hijacked vessel and its crew, including five Filipino seamen, have been freed by Somali hijackers. The Russian captain has informed the Dutch company that all crewmembers are 'in fine condition,'" Cristobal said in a text message to reporters.
Cristobal added that the ship is now cruising in the direction of Suez Canal.
Earlier reports showed that although none of the crew has been reported injured, the negotiators from Reider Shipping has started talking to the hijackers to let go of the seafarers.
MV Amiya Scan was the sixth ship hijacked by Somali pirates in two months, said the Commercial Crimes Services of the International Maritime Bureau.
Since January 1 this year, 24 ships have been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden.
This is the second hijacking this year with Filipinos onboard in the Gulf of Aden. Last April 4, the French cruise ship Le Ponant was also hijacked with a crew of 30, of which six are Filipinos. (ECV/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (June 27, 2008 issue)
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