MANILA, Philippines – Seventeen Filipinos are among the crewmembers of a Greek-flagged supertanker captured by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman on Wednesday.
The Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) said armed pirates seized the M/V Irene SL tanker, carrying about $200 million worth of crude oil. The tanker was sailing from the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Mexico.
The CMF said the M/V Irene SL had gone missing 220 nautical miles from Oman. Lieutenant Commander Susie Thomson of the CMF, a coalition of 25 navies patrolling the maritime areas of the region, said the missing ship’s last port of call was Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to confirm that Filipino seamen were among the crewmembers of the hijacked ship.
The DFA said Tuesday that Filipino seafarer Farolito Vallega, a crewmember of M/V Beluga Nomination, was killed in a “fit of anger” by Somali pirates on Jan. 26 after two anti-piracy naval patrol vessels attempted a rescue mission of the ship on Jan. 24. “We condemn in no uncertain terms the killing of Mr. Farolito Vallega, a man who was merely doing his job and making an honest living for his family. His death is an unspeakable crime against an innocent person and adds to the list of heinous crimes already committed by these pirates. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to his family,” the DFA said.
Citing a report by the ship’s manning agency, the DFA said Filipino seafarer Ferdinand Aquino and a Ukrainian jumped overboard and were eventually rescued by a Danish frigate. Another Filipino seafarer, Elviro Salazar, was reported missing.
The German-owned M/V Beluga Nomination was hijacked by Somali pirates 390 nautical miles north of Port Victoria in the Seychelles on Jan. 22. The ship had 12 crewmembers, including seven Filipinos. The other crewmembers are of Russian, Ukrainian and Polish descent.
The DFA called on all concerned parties to release the Filipinos and other seafarers of different nationalities, and stated that it strongly supports measures that will further protect Filipino seafarers.
“The DFA supports more robust international action against piracy. We also call on vessel owners to adopt best management practices to deter piracy attacks,” it said.
There are 121 Filipino seafarers on 11 vessels being held by Somali pirates. –Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star)
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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