Somali pirates release 20 Filipino seamen

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Somali pirates freed 20 Filipino seamen from a hijacked ship they held for more than 80 days, officials said Friday, as the government doubled the pay of sailors passing through pirate-infested international waters.

Pirates also released 29 Iranian crew members and their cargo ship hijacked off Somalia's coast in late July, Iran's official news agency said Friday.

IRNA quoted the Iranian shipping agency as saying the crew was safe and their vessel, Iran-Dianat, was sailing home. It did not say if any ransom was paid, but hostages in Somalia are usually freed in exchange for money.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the all-Filipino crew of the Japanese-operated bulk carrier Stella Maris, also seized in July, was freed late Thursday. He said the sailors were "well and safe" and their ship was headed to Muscat, Oman.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hEPVevgJ-rAmL9onqu8KHIwmXJTAD93NLDE81

---

The article goes on to say that there are still 47 hostages being held on three other ships.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. heh heh

seamen.

[On the Road]

2. Heh Heh

"released seamen."

[Coventina]

3. Let's hope not, we don't need these bastards reproducing...

But, yes, I'll admit the headline made me giggle.

[slackmaster]

4. From a ship that was "'jacked"

:rofl:

[sasquatch]

5. ARGH!!

[DS1]

6. Must be something in the water

That's not very many

[Fearless]

7. Mmm... Filipino Semen...

:rofl:



I'm sorry that was just to easy.. Hopefully the others are let go too.

:)

[Coventina]

8. Okay, okay, y'all are going to get my thread locked!

Yes, I'm laughing

BUT THIS REALLY IS A SERIOUS STORY!!