24 Filipino sailors back from captivity

MANILA, Philippines—The 24 Filipino crew members of a cargo vessel held captive by Somali pirates for more than four months finally arrived home in Manila on Thursday and were reunited with their respective families.

The Panama-flagged and Liberian-owned bulk cargo vessel MV Renuar with 24 Filipino seamen on board was seized by Somali pirates last Dec. 11 in the Indian Ocean while en route to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates from Port Louis in Mauritius.

The pirates freed the hostages only last April 23. It was not known if ransom was paid for their release.

The Filipino seamen arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Thursday afternoon via Emirates Airlines. They were accompanied by representatives of the vessel’s principal and the local manning agency.

“I felt relieved and happy now that I’ll be able to see my family again,” said Vince Trillo, 31, of Butuan City.

<strong>Saddest Christmas</strong>

While in captivity, Trillo said surviving the ordeal was the farthest thing from his mind. He added that he experienced the saddest Christmas last year.

“Akala ko talaga katapusan ko na,” he said, adding that he plans to go on a vacation with his family to make up for the lost time.

But Trillo admitted being fortunate not to have suffered the same fate as some of his co-crew members who were hurt by the hostage-takers.

Jobert Tiamsing, 29, who has been working as a seaman for four years now, claimed he was designated by the pirates as their cook.

However, at one point, one of the hostage takers suspected him of stealing their food and suddenly punched him on the face when the food supply became increasingly scarce.

Roberto Mendres, 48, a seafarer for the past 20 years, claimed that a pirate poked a gun at him.

But despite the ordeal they suffered at the hands of the Somali pirates, the hostage victims said they would still work at sea.

“We have no choice. We have to support our families. There’s no available work for us here in the Philippines,” Mendres told Inquirer.

“We’ll just let a few months to pass, perhaps just to forget what happened. For the sake of our family, I’m willing to sail seas abroad again,” added Roger Villariba, 33, who worked as the cargo vessel’s chief cook.