The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that nine Filipino seafarers are among the 23 crew members of a tanker that was hijacked by pirates Sunday just off the Somali coast.

A more recent CNN report now says that the tanker’s crew fought back and have successfully overpowered the pirates. A US warship is also reportedly pursuing the hijackers.

In an ABS-CBN report, an official from the firm that owns the tanker identified the Filipino crew members. They are Restituto Bulilad, Melchor Cayabyab, Loreto Quinez, Raymundo Panaligan, Mario Ozenar, Avelino Amparo, Virgilio Lotoc, Loreno Villanueva and Ismael Perez.

The DFA informed reporters covering the department that the authorities have now contacted their families to update them of the government’s efforts to secure their release.