At least 21 Filipino sailors have been taken hostage by pirates after two fresh hijacking incidents off Department off Somalia, ABS-CBN News online said on Thursday. The Filipinos were crews of Win Far161 and MV Malaspina Castle which were hijacked by pirates off Seychelles and Madagascar last Monday, it said, quoting the Deparment of Foreign Affairs (DFA). There were 17 Filipino seafarers aboard Win Far 161 and four aboard MV Malaspina Castle, the DFA's Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs was quoted as saying. The local manning agency of MV Malaspina Castle is coordinating with authorites for the release of the vessel and its Filipino crew, it said. The families of the Filipino seafarers have already been informed about the incident. The local manning agency of Win Far 161 is still verifying the information from its principal, DFA officials said. The number of Filipino seafarers in captivity now totals to 117, involving seven vessels, the DFA said. The government continues to coordinate closely with concerned foreign governmental authorities and the local manning agencies of the captured vessels for the early and safe release of the Filipino seafarers.
