Somali pirates release 21 filipinos

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-14-2009 08:50

Somali pirates have released a Japanese-operated ship with 21 Filipino crewmen that was seized in October.

Philippine officials say this is the third ship to be released in a week.

An official said that the Philippines is not directly involved in negotiations and that it has a no-ransom policy.(CCTV.com)

The ship and its all-Filipino crew were released on Monday with all the crew reported safe. An official said that the Philippines is not directly involved in negotiations and that it has a no-ransom policy.

However, there are still 44 other Filipino sailors who remain on other three ships held by pirates. The released Panamanian-flagged and South Korean-owned ship was said now to be headed for Oman.

The vessel was seized while en route to Asia from the Middle East. It's unclear how the release was secured.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei