Twenty more Filipino seafarers have been released by pirates in Somalia, even as 47 more remain in captivity, according to Vice President and overseas Filipino workers affairs adviser Noli de Castro.

The 20 were crewmen of the Japanese ship M/V Stella Maris. They were released Friday afternoon, Manila time.

De Castro said with the release of the 20 crew of M/V Stella Maris (local manning agency: BSM), only 47 Filipino seamen from four ships remain in the hands of Somali pirates.

Of the 47, 17 are crewmen of the Greek vessel M/T Stephanos deployed by Epsilon Maritime Services and hijacked September 24; 26 are with M/V Centuari deployed by Tradephil Shipping Agency hijacked last September 17; 2 with the vessel Stolt Valor deployed by Fleet Management Services and hijacked September 15; and, 2 with M/V Iran Deyanat deployed by BSM and hijacked August 29.

Last Wednesday, 15 crewmen of M/T Irene were released by their Somali captors. De Castro said they are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on October 16.

Because of the danger posed by Somali pirates to Filipino seamen, De Castro also said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s governing board has approved a resolution declaring the Gulf of Aden in Somalia a high-risk zone and mandating double pay for all seafarers on board ships passing the area.

“Ang isang seaman, kung ayaw dumaan sa Gulf of Aden, pwede siyang bumaba mula sa barko, walang problema. Kung gusto naman niyang tumuloy, madodoble ang kanyang sweldo o kita,” De Castro said.

The resolution, drafted in consultation with ship owners and manning agencies, is retroactive October 7. But De Castro said it will cover Filipino seafarers currently being held by Somali pirates, the last group of which was held hostage October 4.

De Castro also welcomed the United Nations Security Council resolution urging the international community to send naval ships and military aircraft to confront pirates of Somalia.

“Hopefully, matatapos na ang problema ng piracy diyan sa Gulf of Aden,” he said.

Since 2006, a total of 130 Filipino seafarers have fallen victim to hijacking and hostage taking by Somali pirates.