PHILIPPINES INQUIRY ABOUT PIRATED VESSEL, CREW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002133 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2011 TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL RP SO AE SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES INQUIRY ABOUT PIRATED VESSEL, CREW Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Philippines Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Libran N. Cabactulan, called on Ambassador May 23 to discuss the status of the vessel M/T Lin 1 and its crew of 20 Filipinos seized by Somali pirates on March 29. Cabactulan said that his government wanted to know if the U.S. Navy was continuing to monitor the situation, and if so, what the vessel's whereabouts are. Cabactulan also passed the message that Manila is concerned that the U.S. Navy not "storm the ship" potentially causing Filipino casualties. Ambassador promised to follow up and respond to Cabactulan before the end of the day. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Philippines Ambassador Cabactulan met with Ambassador and Polchief May 23 and shared information he had regarding the M/T Lin 1 vessel seized by Somali pirates on March 29. Although Cabactulan did not know the exact location of the vessel and its crew at the present time, and also did not know whether the U.S. Navy is continuing to monitor the situation, he did offer the following details based on his sources. -- The vessel is owned by a Greek company, Akron Trade and Transport, and is sailing under a Panamian flag. The vessel is based in Fujairah on the UAE's East Coast. -- The pirates are seeking $600,000 in ransom for the ship and $200,000 for the 20-member crew, all of whom are Filipino. The owners of the vessel are apparently willing to pay the ransom, on condition that the ship is returned and the crew is released. -- The ship's captain has had recent satellite telephone communications with an employee of Akron, a Filipina posing as the captain's wife. Cabactulan said this was proof the crew was still alive. Families of crew members have also been in touch with them via cellular phone, an indication that the pirates have furnished cellphone cards. The ship's crew has been receiving supplies (food and water),but the situation is becoming "desperate," according to Cabactulan. -- The U.S. Navy apparently has been in contact with an Akron manager (Mr. Manoj) who has been keeping the U.S. Navy abreast of developments. -- The pirates have reportedly suggested that the U.S. Navy act as a go-between to ensure the delivery of the ship and its crew, as well as transfer the ransom money. ¶3. (C) Cabactulan said his government was especially concerned about the safety of the crew. "Do not storm the ship," he said, underscoring his government's desire to see this pirate incident conclude without harm to the Filipino crew. ¶4. (C) Ambassador assured Cabactulan that the Embassy would follow up with NAVCENT and that she hoped to have a response to his queries by the end of the day today. ¶5. (U) "Khaleej Times" reported today that negotiations between the pirates' representatives and representatives of the ship's owners are taking place in Gann, a Somali village 400km north of Mogadishu. SISON