14 Filipinos accused of stealing Nigerian crude oil plead innocence

Fourteen Filipino nationals detained said they were innocent of allegedly stealing thousands of tons of crude oil from a vandalized pipeline. The 14 suspects, who have been detained since July 11, said they were crew members aboard the MT Lina Panama when it was hijacked by militants off the Niger delta coast. They said they were held five hours below deck before Nigerian naval gunboats apprehended the ship. Filipino Capt. Rey Chavez said he could not explain how the 150,000 tons of crude oil allegedly found on his vessel got there. He did not rule out the possibility that the militants had stolen it while the crew was being held. The 14 suspects were speaking with journalists on Thursday at the military headquarters in Warri. A Greek national who was also aboard the vessel and was detained was not present at the news... [read full story]