4 released PH seamen home soon

DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Four Filipinos released after two years in the hands of Somali pirates are in good condition and will return home soon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said Thursday that the Danish Foreign Ministry has confirmed to the Philippine Embassy in Norway that Somali pirates had released six seafarers, four of them Filipinos, on Tuesday two years since they were seized in a pirate attack off the coast of Aden.

“The Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed to the Philippine Embassy in Norway the release of six crew members of MV Leopard, including four Filipinos,” said Hernandez in a press briefing Thursday.

“The crew members have undergone medical checkup and were found to be in good physical condition,” said Hernandez.

He said the Filipinos would be brought to a United States military base in Djibouti before they are flown back home. The seafarers were already able to speak to their families, the official said.