The government of Philippines has banned the deployment of Filipino seamen on ships that sail through the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden. President Arroyo explained that the sea lanes near Somalia are far too dangerous. It is not clear how the ban will be enforced. It is fact that Filipino seamen are extremely popular as they are willing to work for exceptionally low wages. An estimated 100 Filipino seamen are being held by Somali pirates.
These Somali pirates have attempted to seize a Norwegian tanker. A Canadian Navy vessel prevented the pirates taking the tanker. The Canadian frigate is part of the NATO anti-piracy mission patrolling the coast of Somalia. Earlier on Saturday, the Dutch frigate Seven Provinces freed 20 Yemeni hostages whose fishing boat had been seized by pirates. According to the Seven Provinces the pirates were launching raids on other ships from the captured fishing boat. It also explained when they mounted an attack on the Greek tanker Handytankers Magic on Saturday.
