Australia Network News
by Shirley Escalante
Friday, July 09, 2010
Eighty-one Filipino sailors aboard six international ships are being held captive.
President Benigno Aquino has instructed foreign affairs officials to coordinate with the owners of hijacked ships and naval authorities in the region for the safe release of the Filipino sailors.
The president acknowledged that the Philippines lacked the military force to rescue its nationals seized by pirates overseas.
Eighteen Filipinos were on board the chemical tanker MT Motivator when it was hijacked by Somali pirates off the southern Red Sea early this week.
The total number of Filipino sailors held was just over 20 in the first quarter of the year.
Filipinos make up at least a third of sailors on board international vessels.
Source: ANN