By: Eric Apolonio
Tuesday 14 Dezember 2010
But on the day the hostages were freed, the Somali pirates hjijacked a Panamanian vessel, Mv Renuar, with an all-Filipino crew of 24, the department said quoting a report from the Philippine embassy in Nairobi.
The newly-freed Filipino sailors were part of a 23-man crew of Mv Eleni, which the Somalis hijacked on May 12. It was not known whethere ransom was paid.
The Foreign Affairs department said it was coordinating closely with the local manning agencies for the early and safe return of the 19 seafarers.
The 24 brought to 82 the Filipino seafarers held captive by Somali pirates, who have made hijacking a lucrative industry through millions of dollars in ransom paid. The names of the captives were not available.
The Liberian Mv Renuar, en route to trhe United Arab Emirates from Mauritious, was hijacked by the notorious Somali pirates off the Somali coastal village of Eyl.
Sourece: Manila Standard