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Manila: Philippine officials here welcomed reports about the release of six Filipino seafarers, who were among the 30 people rescued by French special forces commandos yesterday, after a nine-day ordeal in the hands of hostage-takers.
"We are pleased with the good news over the release of the six Filipino seafarers. We hope they can return at the soonest possible time so that they can be reunited with their families in the Philippines," Deputy Press Secretary Lorelei Fajardo said.
Commandoes of the French Special Operations Command rescued the hostages yesterday after their French-registered cruise ship Le Ponant was seized by pirates off the Gulf of Aden. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr said none of the Filipino hostages were wounded in the rescue operation.
Female crew
Among the released Filipinos was a female crew member of the luxury yacht. "Yes, their release is confirmed," Conejos said several hours after news broke on the successful hostage rescue operation. Conejos was quoted by reports as saying that the families of the rescued people are being informed by the goverment.
Conejos said the government did not play any direct role in freeing the hostage nor was it involved in negotiating with the hostage-takers. He reiterated that the Philippine government has a standing policy against negotiating with hostage-takers.
Claro Cristobal, spokesman for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, said all 30 crew members of the hijacked vessel, including the six Filipino seamen, have been freed.
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