TACLOBAN CITY — The state-run National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) is compiling accounts of Filipino seafarers held captives by pirates as inputs for an action plan to address the crime, an official said.¬†
The output will also be shared with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the group‚Äôs anti-piracy workshop in September. Grace Marie T. Ayaso, NMP planning, research and project development division head, said the group has received assistance from the Japanese government for the project. Among those who have shared experiences were seafarers held hostage in Somalia. “Through the study, a plan of action will be crafted by NMP and concerned government agencies, including the private sector,” Ms. Ayaso said. The action plan will be presented to the Department of Labor and Employment to serve as guide in providing assistance to the seafarers and their families during and after a kidnapping incident. “The initiative is NMP‚Äôs contribution to address the problem of Filipino seafarers, who comprise 28% of the global seafaring requirement,” Ms. Ayaso said. NMP, the government‚Äôs only maritime training center, has also developed an anti-piracy course in partnership with the Maritime Training Council. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has required shipping companies to offer the course to seafarers since 2011. — Reyan L. Arinto –
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