DFA taking measures to help 4 Pinoy seamen kidnapped off Nigeria

By RIE TAKUMI, GMA News
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said it is "taking quick positive measures" to help the four Filipino sailors kidnapped from a German container vessel in Nigerian waters over the weekend.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Robbie Bolivar said in a text message to GMA News Online that the public will be informed of further developments that will not infringe on the privacy of the seamen's privacy and safety.
"Out of concern for the safety of our kababayans and the privacy of their families, we cannot share more information than this," he said. "But rest assured the DFA will apprise the press of any developments in due course."
Four Filipinos, together with a Ukranian and a Hungarian, were kidnapped from their ship on Saturday as it approached a port in the Niger Delta, a hotspot of kidnapping in the last few years.
Their 12 remaining crew members remain safe in their vessel as they moved away from Nigerian waters.
No official contact has been established with the kidnappers as of the latest report.
The global shipping industry, which carries 80 percent of international trade, employs about 1.2 million seafarers, the bulk of which come from the Philippines.
As a policy, the Philippine government does not negotiate nor pay ransom to kidnappers, but gives ship owners the free hand in negotiating for the release of abducted Filipino sailors. —KBK, GMA News

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