THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed that Somali pirates released the Greek-flagged supertanker MV Irene SL and its 25-member crew, including 17 Filipinos.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Malaya said “the DFA received reports Friday on the release from pirates’ captivity of the MV Irene SL with 17 Filipino seafarers on board. The crew are in good health.”

“Arrangements are underway for the Filipino seafarers’ return to the Philippines and the warm embrace of their family members who patiently awaited this event for so long,” he said.

The ship is now heading to the port of Durban in South Africa.

Somali pirates captured the ship and its cargo of 266,000 tons of crude oil on Feb. 9 while on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.  

The International Association of Independent Tanker owners hailed the release of the Filipino seafarers.

However, the organization lamented that not enough is being done to stop the Somali pirates.

INTERTANKO called for more decisive action by national governments around the world to put an end to piracy in the Indian Ocean pointing out the crucial role shipping plays in the global economy.     

According to the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates are currently holding 28 vessels hostage with nearly 600 people.