The 14 Filipino crewmen of a Greek tanker hijacked by ransom-seeking pirates off Somalia last year have returned home to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the local manning agency of MT Smyrni crew informed the DFA that the Filipinos arrived in Manila on March 19 on board a Philippine Airlines flight.
MT Smyrni and its 26 crew members of mixed nationalities were seized by Somali pirates on May 10, 2012 and were released last March 9.
‘After its release, the vessel sailed to the port of Salalah in Oman, where they were provided assistance by Philippine embassy officials, counseling and medical treatment, Hernandez told a press briefing.
There are still nine Filipino seafarers from two vessels being held captive by pirates in Somalia
Source: GMA News
