(2ND UPDATE) THE 20 Filipino seamen released over the weekend by hostage-takers in Somalia appear to be in good condition and are on their way to the United Arab Emirates to meet with Philippine consulate officials, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.
“They are on international waters right now, on the way to Fujairah in UAE, the base of operation of their company,” Gilbert Asuque said.
The men were freed at around 4:20 p.m. Somali time on Saturday, and it wasn’t clear if any ransom has been paid, said Roy Cimatu, the government’s special envoy to the Middle East.
Cimatu said the owners of the ship, who were not identified, negotiated for the release of the men. No other details were provided.
Asuque reiterated the Philippine government’s no-ransom policy. “Negotiations with the hostage-takers were done by the ship owner,” he said.
Consul General Antonio Curameng said Pablo Buaya, the Filipino captain who was among those abducted, informed him that the crewmembers were not harmed by their captors and they were in good health.
Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Libran Cabactulan identified the Filipinos as captain Pablo Buaya; deck officers Julius Nidera and Adonnis Corales; chief engineer Perfecto Narciso; engine officers Nelson Gipulla and Gil Paradero; electrician Ricardo Somido; pumpmen Meynard Garcia and Gregorio Ilagan; bosun Ramier Casapao Bosun;
Able bodies Ryan Solis, Ronnie Mendoza, John Alderete, Alex Genanda, and Even Acain; fitter Rolando Cogama; oilers Deogracia Manalo, Vicente Echavez, and Alejandre Aluag; and cook Macario Castillo.
The Filipinos were seized after their oil tanker, the United Arab Emirates-registered MT LIN1, offloaded its cargo at a southern Somali port on March 29. The Akron Trade and Transport Company based in Fujairah, UAE, owns the vessel.
In UAE, the released seamen will undergo further medical assistance. “Then we will ask them if they want to be repatriated or not. We will extend to them all the assistance they need,” Asuque said.
Piracy in Somalia rose sharply last year, with the number of reported incidents at 35, compared with two in 2004, according to the International Maritime Bureau. The bandits target both passenger and cargo vessels for ransom or loot. With The Associated Press
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