After swift rescue of US captain, fate of 98 Filipino seamen remains in limbo
MARK JOSEPH UBALDE, GMANews.TV
The wives of Filipino sailors Carlo Deseo and Rodell Boretta calls for the release of their husbands from the MT Stolt Strength. AP
MANILA, Philippines - The daring high-seas rescue of American ship captain Richard Philips might have momentarily brought the world’s attention back to Somalia, but it did little to bring to the fore the plight of the remaining 98 Filipino seafarers held captive there by pirates.
Nelson Ramirez, president of Manila-based seafarer’s group United Filipino Seafarers said the international community seems to turn a blind eye to the larger population of Filipino crew members kidnapped by Somali pirates since November last year.
“The entire incident is sensationalized because an American was held hostage," Ramirez told GMANews.TV in an interview. “[But] when the number of Filipinos abducted by pirates swelled to 100, there was no reaction."
As this developed, reality television show, Spike TV, announced that it will follow US naval units hunting for pirates in the Gulf of Aden to bring "an up-close and behind-the-scenes look at the US Navy operation to end this deadly threat of piracy."
The International Maritime Bureau said there were 260 crewmembers on 14 hijacked ships being held off the coast of Somalia as of Tuesday. Six of these hijacked vessels have a total of 98 Filipino seafarers involved.
The number of Filipino seafarers being held hostage in Somalia have constantly yo-yoed — from 44 at the start of the year to 108 last month — as pirates continuously hijack ships passing through the Gulf of Aden, slowly releasing vessels only after ship owners willingly pay multi-million dollar ransom.
Various US media entities gave a blow by blow account on the hijacking incident involving Capt. Philips, particularly the daring rescue that involved snipers shooting three of the four Somali pirates who have kidnapped the American ship officer. (For related story click here)
No other than President Barack Obama praised the risky Sunday rescue and even vowed to work with other nations “to halt the rise of piracy." But Somali pirates threatened to kill the remaining hostages should other countries attack them to free their nationals.
Noting the danger faced by the hostages, Ramirez urged the Philippine government to use the newfound attention of the Western media and steer it toward the plight of Filipino seafarers.
“It is high-time for the government to strengthen its representation in the UN to bring to the fore that many Filipino seafarers are being held against their will in Somalia," Ramirez said.
While the Philippine government is “relieved" to learn about the rescue of Capt. Philips, it remains mum on the issue of the reported ‘hypocrisy’ of the US in being concerned about the piracy in Somalia only because an American was abducted, while almost 100 Filipinos have been kidnapped since November 2008.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ed Malaya told GMANews.TV that they are constantly working with their partners in securing the safe release and repatriation of the 98 Filipinos held by Somali pirates.
Malaya noted that despite the pirates’ threats, they have not received any report of Filipinos deliberately hurt by the sea bandits. (Next: Filipino captain held in Somalia)
The wives of Filipino sailors Carlo Deseo and Rodell Boretta calls for the release of their husbands from the MT Stolt Strength. AP
MANILA, Philippines - The daring high-seas rescue of American ship captain Richard Philips might have momentarily brought the world’s attention back to Somalia, but it did little to bring to the fore the plight of the remaining 98 Filipino seafarers held captive there by pirates.
Nelson Ramirez, president of Manila-based seafarer’s group United Filipino Seafarers said the international community seems to turn a blind eye to the larger population of Filipino crew members kidnapped by Somali pirates since November last year.
“The entire incident is sensationalized because an American was held hostage," Ramirez told GMANews.TV in an interview. “[But] when the number of Filipinos abducted by pirates swelled to 100, there was no reaction."
As this developed, reality television show, Spike TV, announced that it will follow US naval units hunting for pirates in the Gulf of Aden to bring "an up-close and behind-the-scenes look at the US Navy operation to end this deadly threat of piracy."
The International Maritime Bureau said there were 260 crewmembers on 14 hijacked ships being held off the coast of Somalia as of Tuesday. Six of these hijacked vessels have a total of 98 Filipino seafarers involved.
The number of Filipino seafarers being held hostage in Somalia have constantly yo-yoed — from 44 at the start of the year to 108 last month — as pirates continuously hijack ships passing through the Gulf of Aden, slowly releasing vessels only after ship owners willingly pay multi-million dollar ransom.
Various US media entities gave a blow by blow account on the hijacking incident involving Capt. Philips, particularly the daring rescue that involved snipers shooting three of the four Somali pirates who have kidnapped the American ship officer. (For related story click here)
No other than President Barack Obama praised the risky Sunday rescue and even vowed to work with other nations “to halt the rise of piracy." But Somali pirates threatened to kill the remaining hostages should other countries attack them to free their nationals.
Noting the danger faced by the hostages, Ramirez urged the Philippine government to use the newfound attention of the Western media and steer it toward the plight of Filipino seafarers.
“It is high-time for the government to strengthen its representation in the UN to bring to the fore that many Filipino seafarers are being held against their will in Somalia," Ramirez said.
While the Philippine government is “relieved" to learn about the rescue of Capt. Philips, it remains mum on the issue of the reported ‘hypocrisy’ of the US in being concerned about the piracy in Somalia only because an American was abducted, while almost 100 Filipinos have been kidnapped since November 2008.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ed Malaya told GMANews.TV that they are constantly working with their partners in securing the safe release and repatriation of the 98 Filipinos held by Somali pirates.
Malaya noted that despite the pirates’ threats, they have not received any report of Filipinos deliberately hurt by the sea bandits. (Next: Filipino captain held in Somalia)
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