Filipinos rescued from hijacked yacht named

By Cynthia Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:59am (Mla time) 04/13/2008


MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday identified the six Filipino crew members of a French yacht following their release by abductors who hijacked the ship off the coast of Somalia on April 5.

They were Marisol Abalos, cabin stewardess, 25, of San Mateo, Rizal; Domingo Barayang, 2nd cook, 35, of Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Gary Caingat, waiter, 27, of Tandang Sora, Quezon City; Gilbert Glorioso, 30, of Antipolo City; Alexander Hibi, utility man, 28, of Tondo, Manila, and Victor Rebanal, waiter, 35, of Polangui, Albay.

DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal said the freed Filipino crew members were on their way to Paris, France.

On Friday, the Philippine government confirmed the six Filipinos were among the 30 crew members of the Le Ponant who were taken hostage by Somali pirates.

“All 30 crew members are in good physical condition and are now in the custody and care of the French Marines,” Cristobal said.

Philippine authorities are coordinating with French officials for the repatriation of the six Filipino seamen, according to Cristobal.

A report from the wire agency AFP said the French military on Friday detained six pirates after they freed the 30 crew members, while a source said a $2-million ransom was paid.

A Somali regional governor also said three people were killed when French helicopters later carried out a raid against pirates in northeastern Somalia after the hostages were freed.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy earlier announced that the hostages had been freed in an operation that took place “without incident.” With a report from AFP

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