2 Filipino seafarers freed after a year in captivity

MANILA, Philippines—Two Filipino crew members of a Greek-owned cargo ship were released by Somali pirates last week after nearly a year in captivity, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said that the cargo vessel MV Blida was released by the pirates on November 3. The vessel then sailed toward Mombasa in Kenya where the crew members would undergo medical checkup.

However, the exact date of repatriation of the Filipino seamen, whom the DFA did not identify, has yet to be scheduled.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has already instructed the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi to extend all possible assistance to the Filipino seafarers once they arrive in Mombasa, Hernandez added.