Nigeria kidnapping: DFA working on release of 7 Fillipinos

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is coordinating with Nigeria and Switzerland for the release of seven Filipino seafarers kidnapped off Nigeria last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The DFA confirmed that the Filipinos were among the 12 crewmembers of Swiss cargo vessel MV Glarus kidnapped by pirates.

The Philippine embassies in Abuja and Bern are coordinating with authorities in Nigeria and Switzerland to get information on the condition and whereabouts of the Filipino seamen.

The cargo ship was on its way to Port Harcourt from Lagos when the pirates seized the seafarers on Saturday.

Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Shirley Ho Vicario said five other Filipinos and two foreigners were left on the ship by the kidnappers.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency said seven of those kidnapped were from the Philippines and one each from Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia and Bosnia.