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‘Kabayan’ confident in UN action against Somali pirates

10/13/2008

Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro yesterday said the United Nations Security Council’s resolution, urging the international community to send naval ships and military aircraft to confront pirates off the coast of Somalia, would hopefully abate, if not totally eradicate, the rise in the incidents of piracy.

According to the UN resolution, piracy in Somali coast is considered now as an international menace. It is a “serious threat... to the prompt, safe and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia.”

But, more importantly, De Castro said the Philippines is adversely affected by the fact that these criminal acts endanger the lives of more than 100 Filipino seamen kidnapped since 2006.

Upon pointing out all the direct adverse effects that piracy bears on our country, De Castro urged those countries that have a stake in the Somali situation to coordinate and contribute in fighting off piracy.

The UN Security Council already made the call, it is now up to the international community to take on the task, De Castro said.

Subsequent to this development, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that 20 Filipino seamen boarding M/T Stella Maris were freed last Oct. 10.

According to DFA, there are still four ships remaining in the hands of Somali pirates, with 47 seamen still held captive.

Last Wednesday, 15 Filipinos along with four other foreigners on board the M/T Irene, a Japanese-operated chemical tanker, were freed by Somali pirates. According to DFA, the homebound seamen of M/T Irene are now embarking on a journey to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates where their papers will be processed for their repatriation. The tentative date for their arrival in Manila is set on Oct. 16.

“I am happy for the families of these seamen as they will be reunited upon their safe return. But bear in mind that after their release from their captivity, these victims are not altogether relieved of their anguish. You have to subject them to debriefing and psychological rehabilitation in order to relieve the trauma from the experience,” De Castro said.