Kidnapped Pinoy sailors identified

MANILA, Philippines — The government has identified the 11 Filipino seafarers kidnapped in two separate incidents in West Africa last week and have notified their next of kin, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, adding that the government had been advised to keep their identities confidential.

There was proof of life but no ransom demand, though the governmentwas standing by its no ransom policy, he said.

Bello said he was confident the seafarers would be freed before Christmas, “maybe before the end of November.”

Two of the Filipinos were seized in Togo and nine were taken in Benin. —Leila B.Salaverria