Filipino crewmen outsmart Somali pirates

By Jerry E. Esplanada

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs has commended eight Filipino seafarers and eight other crew members of the M/V Beluga Fortune, a German-owned cargo ship, for outsmarting Somali pirates and successfully evading capture by the marauders near the Gulf of Aden.

Esteban Conejos, undersecretary of foreign affairs for migrant workers, said the "adoption of best practices by the seafarers saved them from being held captive by the pirates" last October 24.
"They sent out a distress call to American and British naval vessels in the area, cut off the ship's fuel supply, shut down power on the bridge, and hid in a safe room before they could be overwhelmed by the pirates," said Conejos.

They stayed below deck for two days, Conejos said, adding, "Unable to take charge of the ship or hold any crew member hostage, the pirates were forced to abandon the vessel after stealing some personnel belongings of the crew which were left inside the cabins."

Reports reaching the DFA said the pirates boarded the ship while it was on its way to South Africa.
According to Conejos, "all the seafarers are safe and have expressed their intention to continue working on board."

"The Filipino crew members also said they will come home in time for the Christmas holidays," he added.
Meanwhile, DFA spokesman J. Eduardo Malaya said negotiations were continuing for the release of 111 Filipino seafarers being held by Somali pirates.

Malaya said assistance would be provided to the seamen "through domestic and multilateral channels."
The DFA is "working with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on the proper notification and extension of appropriate assistance to the Filipino seafarers' families" here, Malaya also said.
The latest ship hijacking, which took place last weekend, involved the Panama-flagged tanker M/V Polar. At least 16 of its 24 crew members are Filipinos.

The 72,825-ton vessel was seized by the pirates some 600 miles off the coast of Somalia.
On October 24, Somali pirates also seized the Singaporean-flagged tanker M/T York with 14 Filipino crew members off the coast of Kenya.

Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo earlier said the DFA was coordinating with "concerned foreign countries" for the safe release of the Filipino hostages.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquire