THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday that 21 Filipino seamen are onboard the Marshall Islands-flagged and Greek-owned MT Liguid Velvet that was hijacked by Somali pirates while the ship was en route to the Gulf of Aden on October 31.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the vessel was approaching the Gulf of Aden on its way to Mormugao, India, when the incident happened. The local manning agency told the DFA that the ship has a full crew of 21 seamen.

“The DFA has instructed the Philippine embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Manama, Bahrain, to monitor the situation and coordinate with the Combined Maritime Forces, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Athens to keep track of the negotiations being undertaken by the vessel’s owners with the pirates,” said Hernandez.

He said the local manning agency took responsibility on the matter while the families of kidnapped seamen have already been informed of the incident.

The DFA official also said there are still 43 Filipino seamen onboard five vessels still being held captives by Somali pirates.

The United Nations has recently called on member-states to intensify coordinated efforts to combat hijacking in the dangerous seas of Somalia as such incidents have become a money-making activities for lawless elements in the failed state of Somalia.

Since late 2006, more than 500 Filipino seamen onboard international vessels have been held captive by Somali pirates.

The situation prompted the UN Security Council to adopt two resolutions that allow warships from developed countries such as US, France and other members of the European Union to escort vessels passing through the pirate infested seas of Somalia.