The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reinforced safety measures to address the problem of increasing number of Filipino seafarers being kidnapped by pirates in Somalia.

The DOLE reinforced a safety precaution that governs Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) board resolution No. 5 which provides protection to Filipino seafarers on board vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said that the DOLE officials have met with the International Maritime Employers’ Committee Ltd. (IMEC) based in London to discuss a step-yup efforts to protect ship owners and seaman manning vessels plying the pirate-infested waters.

“Ang challenge sa amin dito is that yung concentration is no longer in the Gulf of Aden. Nandon na rin sila sa ibang areas in the ocean in African mainland,’’ Roque said.

“We are bracing for more attacks because according to them pirates are operating when the seas are calmer,’’ he added. The Gulf of Aden is an area known for acts of piracy, making its waters dangerous for water transport.

Just last November 30, 16 Filipino and 200 other nationals from oil tanker Maran Centaurus were kidnapped by Somali pirates Somali pirates. The Greek-owned tanker sailed across from Saudi Arabia going to United States when Somali pirates entrapped them.

Recently, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the release by the pirates of a Filipino crew member who was on board the New Zealand-flagged MV Charelle.