MANILA, Philippines – Five Filipino seafarers on board 2 vessels are still in the hands of Somali pirates, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday.

Of the 5, 2 are onboard the Thai Union 3 and 3 others on MV St. James Park.

“This is the lowest number of Filipino seafarers in custody of Somali pirates in recent times,” the DFA said in a press statement.

The DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) continues to coordinate closely with the ships' principal local manning agencies for the early and safe release of the seafarers.

Meanwhile, 17 Filipino seafarers earlier released from captivity in Somalia are set to come home Sunday morning from Kaoshung, Taiwan.

The 17 Pinoy are from the Taiwanese-flagged vessel FV Win Far 161. Somali pirates released the vessel on February 11.

They will be welcomed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by representatives of the DFA-OUMWA, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and their manning agency.

Somali pirates hijacked the fishing vessel on April 6, 2009 off the coast of Seychelles. It was the longest held vessel with Filipino crew.

Earlier, 18 Filipino seafarers aboard Greek-owned, Panama-flagged MV Navios Apollon were released from captivity in Somalia on February 28. The ship's owner is currently arranging the crew's repatriation to the Philippines.