DFA: 20 Pinoys hostaged anew in Somali waters

About 20 Filipino seafarers were held hostage in another hijacking incident in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on Sunday. Last May, a Dutch-owned ship with five Filipinos on board was hijacked in the same location. Photo from Wikipedia(Updated 3:59 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - A Japanese-owned bulk carrier with 20 Filipino seafarers on board was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia last Sunday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a text message to GMANews.TV, Esteban Conejos Jr, DFA undersecretary for migrant workers' affairs, said the ship's owner, who is in contact with the pirates, reported that the crew of the hijacked MV Stella Maris were safe. As of posting time, the ship was sailing toward the northeast tip of Somalia.

"I was assured that contact has been established between the crew and the owner of the ship, which is a Japanese company. (This was also) according to the captain who is a Filipino. All the 20 Filipinos are safe and sound," Conejos said.

Conejos was informed that the pirates got on the the ship while it was sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was said to be carrying lead and zinc.

Conejos reiterated that the Philippine government ruled out paying a ransom to free the Filipino hostages.

"I stressed to the local manning agent that it is the policy of government never to negotiate with pirates. We look towards the local manning agents and the ship owner and the host country because they have the responsibility to ensure the safety and the earliest release of the crew," he said.

On May 25, about five Filipino seafarers were also held hostage after their ship, MV Amiya Scan, was hijacked by pirates on May 25 in the Gulf of Aden.

The vessel and its passengers were released by pirates 30 days later. The Filipino crew arrived in the Philippines last July 1. - GMANews.TV

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