afrol News, 23 July - Somali pirates seized a Japanese freighter cargo ship boarding 20 Philippines off Somalia coast sailing to Gulf of Aden, Philippines officials said today.

Philippine Foreign ministry spokesman said Panama-flagged Stella Maris with its crew-members was taken over by gunmen on Sunday. The Stella Maris, which was carrying a cargo of lead and zinc, was forcibly boarded by 38 armed men in the Gulf of Aden.

He said officials had been in contact with the sailors, who are reported to be in good health but said if abductors were to demand ransom, it is against Philippine government's policy.

"We look toward the local manning agents and the ship owner and the host country because they have the responsibility to ensure safety and earliest release of the crew," he said.

Waters off East African coast, are considered among the most dangerous in the world, with cargo ships and luxury yachts being targeted by heavily armed pirates demanding ransom. Pirates are also targeting ships carrying food aid.

According to United Nations, over 26 pirate attacks on civilian ships have occurred in the area since the beginning of this year.

Earlier this month, Somali pirates released a German cargo ship and 15 of its crew members unharmed, which was seized over a month after receiving a large ransom.

Somali pirates are currently demanding US$2 million dollars for the release of a German couple seized on 23 June as they sailed through the Gulf of Aden on a trip from Egypt to Thailand.

Somali authorities have criticised the practice of paying ransoms to pirates, saying that it only encourages more attacks on foreign ships, though coast seizure never ceases.

Kidnapping is said to be the first instance where sea robbers snatched a small vessel ferrying a non-militant crew.

UN Security Council recently approved incursions into Somali waters to curb piracy, which the weak transitional government, currently engaged in countering a bloody insurgency, seems powerless to prevent.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and turned on each other.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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