PCIJ WebAlert #33.2008

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W H A T ' S N E W @ www.pcij.org
26.November.2008


---------------[ i Report Special Feature )------

IS POEA POLICY TO BLAME?
Every 6 Hours, Pirates Seize a Filipino Seaman
by Roel R. Landingin

FOR years now, the Philippines has been among the leading sources of
seafarers for the global shipping industry. One in every five
seafarers plying the world's waters today is Filipino, and the total
amount they send home each year is astounding. Indeed, they are among
the reasons why our economy remains afloat, but they are doing so by
putting their lives at risk.

It's no secret that the shipping industry is one of the most dangerous
in the world, with the many threats seafarers have to face seemingly
growing each year. Recently, however, piracy has become among the top
risks endured by seamen.

Unsurprisingly, the number of Filipino seafarers being held hostage by
pirates each month has risen dramatically. In fact, according to the
Department of Foreign Affairs, one Filipino seafarer is being seized
by pirates every six hours. Yet, as PCIJ contributor Roel Landingin
notes in this special feature, this is even though the Philippine
government, just weeks ago, implemented new measures to help keep
Filipino seafarers out of harm's way.

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