Seafarers must also take anti-piracy training

Take ‘safe route’ if passing through Gulf of Aden: DFA told manning agents, principals

Despite having no hand in plotting the course of international vessels where Pinoy seafarers are onboard, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will require all manning agencies to compel their ships to take the ‘safe route’ if passing through the Coast of Somalia.

DFA said they have no choice but to make the directive particularly after a Filipino seafarer was killed by pirates when MV Beluga Nomination was hijacked by Somali pirates recently.

Atty. Esteban Conejos Jr., DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, said they already issued the directive to all manning agencies that ships boarded by Filipinos, traversing the Gulf of Aden must pass through the international corridor that is considered the ‘safe route’ wherein it is heavily guarded by naval teams from different countries and aerial security is provided to escort the ship.

Conejos also reiterated the need for Filipino seafarers to undergo the mandatory anti-piracy training and for manning agencies to make sure that the vessels comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements in respect to self-defense mechanism.

“The DFA has coordinated efforts with local manning companies, their principals and countries of flagship for the fast and early resolution of piracy cases and ensure the safe release of Filipino seafarers being held hostage as of the moment,” Conejos said.

As of the moment, there are approximately 155 remaining Filipinos held hostage by Somali pirates.

Conejos explained, while the country contributed only personnel to join the Combined Maritime Forces, we have no ship and helicopter to be deployed to curb piracy.

“The DFA also supports more robust international action against piracy. We also call on vessel owners to adopt best management practices to deter piracy attacks,” Conejos added.

To date, a high level interagency committee meeting is being scheduled at Malacanang to look into the implications of recent killing of a Filipino seafarer held hostage by the pirates on the safety of seafarers especially those onboard ships passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.

Conejos will attend the meeting of the United Nations Contact Group on Piracy on February 28 in Washington DC to raise the serious concerns of the Philippines and strengthen current anti-piracy measures. A similar meeting was also held in London on February 17.

Earlier, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) along with maritime stakeholders and students rallied in front of DFA recently to condemn the killing and appealed to DFA and to President Benigno Aquino III to take actions to free the 155 hostages.

The group said with 300,000 seafarers onboard, the country depend so much on remittances which is a key factor in stabilizing the economy, thus, ensuring the security of those onboard is vital.

“The deployment of seafarers will decline, interest of young seafarers will weaken, as well as enrolment in maritime schools. The manning agencies will face problems, wherein seafarers will not sign contracts if the ships they will pass through the Gulf of Aden unless Government acts swiftly to address this menace,” the group said.