45 Filipino seafarers still held captive by Somali Pirates

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez. CATHY MIRANDA/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said that about 45 Filipino seafarers on board five ships were still being held captive by Somali pirates.

“We are monitoring and we let the government help us in that area and we are also supporting owners of  the ships as well as the manning agencies to monitor negotiations and other actions that would ultimately free our seafarers,” Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesman, said in a press briefing.

Hernandez added that DFA continued to hold discussions with international partners to address the problem, as well as conducting training for Filipino seafarers.

“We are conducting training for our seafarers before they leave for their assignments and make sure that they only follow the route that is safe for these ships to pass through,” Hernandez said.