MikeLigalig.com

The captain of a US container ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released, the US Navy has said.

Three pirates are reported to have been killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips, who had been held in a lifeboat for several days.

Capt Phillips is said to be unhurt and aboard the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him.

He was taken hostage after pirates briefly hijacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday.

On Friday he failed in an attempt to swim free.

An unnamed US official told the Associated Press news agency that Capt Phillips was freed in what appeared to be a swift firefight.

Reports say he jumped overboard for a second time, and the pirates were shot and killed before they could take action to get him back.

US forces apparently took advantage of the fact one of the pirates was negotiating on the USS Bainbridge when the incident happened.

Somali elders had been trying to resolve the standoff but most recent reports had suggested the talks had stalled. - BBC

Thank the Lord! Happy Easter Jud!

This is a very good news!  Capt. Phillips was a smart man too, and he is a hero for exchanging his life so that his men be freed at the start of this hostage-taking activity of the pirates!

Sad to say there are still lots of Filipino hostaged by these pirates in Somali!