Somali pirates free 3 Pinoy hostages

By Lorna Gamboa

After almost six months of captivity, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that three Filipino seafarers on board MV Charelle were freed from captivity by pirates in Somalia on December 3.

According to DFA, the Filipinos are all in good health and that their repatriation is now being arranged by the vessel’s principal.

The rest of the crew, consisting of seven Sri Lankans, were also released.

MV Charelle is now sailing for the closest safe port under the watch of a naval warship. The owners of the vessel thanked all the crew’s families “for their faith in the safe return of their loved ones, their strength throughout this ordeal, and for their support for the company.”

MV Charelle was hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of northern Oman last June 12.