EU NAVFOR: Pirates seize ship with 24 Pinoys

At least 24 more Filipino seafarers are now in the hands of pirates who attacked their bulk carrier off the Indian Ocean Saturday.

The European Union Naval Force Somalia said the MV Renuar was hijacked some 1,050 nautical miles east of the Somali coastal village of Eyl, or 550 nautical miles off the coast of India.

"The 24-man Filipino crew attempted to evade the pirates for some time causing the pirates to make several determined attacks before finally boarding the vessel. There are presently no communications with the ship and the condition of the crew is not known,"EU NAVFOR said Sunday night.

EU NAVFOR acts in accordance with United Nations Security Councils resolutions. it seeks to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery.

Before the incident, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said there are 82 Filipino seafarers on board six vessels still held captive by pirates.

EU-NAVFOR said the pirates launched the attack from two attack skiffs supported by a mother ship. It said the pirates fired small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at the merchant vessel.

"Since the attack, the pirates have confirmed that they have control of the ship which is now heading West towards the Somali Coast," EU-NAVFOR said.

The MV Renuar is a Panama-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk cargo vessel, with a deadweight of 70,156 tons. It was en route to Fujairah (UAE) from Port Louis (Mauritius) when attacked. 

The incident occurred barely a day after 19 Filipino seafarers serving aboard a Liberian-flagged ship regained their freedom after Somali pirates released their vessel over the weekend.

The DFA said Sunday night the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi confirmed the release of the Greek-owned MV Eleni-P by Somali pirates Saturday.

"Onboard the vessel are 23 seafarers, 19 of whom are Filipinos," the DFA said in an article on its website.

The DFA said pirates hijacked the vessel last May 12, 50 nautical miles off the coast of Oman. The vessel was on its way to Kandla, India.

Along with the Filipino crew members are two Romanians and one Indian national.

The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) is now coordinating with the seafarer's manning agency and the vessel owner to arrange for the seafarers' repatriation.

"The DFA-OUMWA continues to coordinate closely with the local manning agencies for the early and safe release of all these seafarers," the DFA said. - KBK, GMANews.TV