Wife thankful RP seafarer husband finally free

MANILA, Philippines - When Catherine heard that his husband Rodell Borreta and his companions were finally released by the Somali pirates, she could not contain her happiness.

The Blas F. Ople Policy Center said that Catherine received a text message from Sea Cap Shipping Company at 12 noon, saying that Rodell – with 22 other Filipino crew of chemical tanker MT Stolt Strength – was released Tuesday, after more than five months in captivity.

It read: “Thank God at sinagot na ang ating mga panalangin. Na-release na po ang crew sa mga kamay ng pirata. [Thank God our prayers have been answered. The crew has finally been released] They are all onboard and safe. God bless us. Just wait for our call today."

Upon receiving the text message, Catherine reportedly cried as she repeatedly uttered “Thank you, Lord!"

“I am so overjoyed by the good news! I am very happy and very thankful especially to the Lord. He has heard our prayers," she told the Center.

The other wives of the freed Filipino seafarers – Doris Deseo, Vilma de Guzman, and Lerena Abiera – were reportedly “equally ecstatic" upon hearing the news.

“Our husbands haven’t called yet but we were told that the ship had to add bunker fuel and will soon sail home. We are very thankful and happy that they have regained their freedom," said Catherine.

The Filipina extended her thanks to all those who helped her husband.

“We would like to thank Vice-President Noli de Castro, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, the Ople Center, and members of the press for their help and support," she said.

The Filipino crew members are now reportedly sailing to “safer waters" under the command of its Filipino captain, Abelardo Pacheco.

The tanker was seized Nov. 10, 2008, when Somali pirates swarmed aboard as it sailed through the Gulf of Aden while hauling a cargo of phosphoric acid destined for Japan. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV

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