Tied, Beaten, Starved for Days!” Filipino Seafarers Reveal HORRIFIC Ordeal After Being Captured by Pirates — Survivors Say: ‘We Thought We’d Never See Land Again’

They left the Philippines seeking a better future. But in open waters, they faced every seaman’s worst nightmare — cold-blooded pirates, torture, and days of unthinkable fear.

What was supposed to be a routine international cargo voyage turned into a real-life horror story for a group of 16 Filipino seafarers, who were held captive for six terrifying days by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia, maritime authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Now safely back on land, the seafarers are breaking their silence — and their stories are chilling.

“They had machine guns. They tied us up like animals. They said we’d die one by one if ransom didn’t come,” said Joseph, a 28-year-old crew member from Iloilo, his voice shaking.

ATTACK IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT

The attack happened during the early hours of June 18, as the vessel — a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship — sailed through the high-risk waters near the Gulf of Aden.

According to survivors, three speedboats with heavily armed men approached the vessel and fired warning shots. Within minutes, they had boarded the ship.

“We activated the alarm, but it was too late. They moved fast. They knew what they were doing,” said Carlos, the ship’s 2nd engineer.
“They spoke in broken English and pointed guns at our heads.”

DAYS OF HELL: BEATINGS, STARVATION, AND FEAR

Once onboard, the pirates disabled communications, seized control of the bridge, and locked the entire Filipino crew in a storage container below deck.

“They gave us one bottle of water to share per day. One small packet of biscuits. We were beaten if we made noise,” Joseph recounted.
“We used our own shirts as bandages. Some had blood on their faces for days.”

The pirates demanded a $1.5 million ransom from the shipping company — threatening to execute one crew member every 24 hours if money didn’t arrive.

A MIRACLE RESCUE

On the sixth day of captivity, just as fear turned into resignation, an international anti-piracy task force picked up a distress signal from a security beacon that had miraculously remained active.

A joint effort from the Philippine Navy, U.S. 5th Fleet, and NATO maritime patrol intercepted the ship and launched a covert rescue mission.

“When we heard the helicopters… we cried. We thought we were hallucinating,” said Joel, one of the rescued seafarers.

The pirates were quickly overpowered in a surprise raid. Three were captured, two reportedly killed, and the Filipino crew was airlifted to safety.

BACK HOME — BUT NOT WHOLE

The crew has now returned to the Philippines — but they say they are “forever changed” by the trauma.

“We survived, but something in us died out there,” Carlos said, breaking down in front of reporters.

The Department of Migrant Workers confirmed that the seamen are receiving trauma counseling, medical care, and temporary financial aid. But for many, the wounds are emotional and deep.

GOVERNMENT UNDER PRESSURE

The incident has reignited calls for stronger maritime protections, especially for Filipino workers, who make up over 25% of the world’s commercial seafarers.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called the attack “an unacceptable failure in seafarer security”, and demanded that shipping companies be held accountable for operating in high-risk zones without proper armed escorts.

“Filipino seafarers bring billions into our economy. The least we can do is ensure they don’t sail into death traps.”

FAMILIES REACT: “WE THOUGHT THEY WERE DEAD”

Outside Ninoy Aquino International Airport, dozens of tearful reunions unfolded. Mothers collapsed in tears. Children clung to their fathers. And wives cried out in Tagalog:

“Akala namin bangkay na kayo… Diyos ko, salamat!”
(We thought you were already dead… my God, thank you!)

One wife shared how she had already lit a candle for the dead — believing she’d never see her husband again.

THE PIRATE NETWORK: STILL OUT THERE

Authorities warn that piracy in East Africa and Southeast Asia is resurging, fueled by economic desperation and weak coastal enforcement.

The captured pirates are now in custody, but Interpol believes they are part of a larger network with ties to smuggling, arms trafficking, and terrorism.

“This rescue was a win. But there are still dozens of ships sailing into danger,” said an official from the International Maritime Bureau.

BOTTOM LINE:

These 16 brave Filipino seafarers faced death, torture, and starvation — and lived to tell the tale.

But their terrifying experience is a wake-up call:

The ocean is still a battlefield.

Piracy is not gone — just hiding.

And our overseas workers deserve more than just prayers — they deserve protection.