Manila - Somali pirates have released a Japanese-operated cargo ship with 21 Filipino crewmen aboard, a Philippine foreign official said Tuesday.

Foreign Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said Somali pirates freed on Sunday the bulk carrier MV African Sanderling that was seized in October.

Conejos said the 21 Filipino seamen were in good health and their papers were being processed so they can go home.

"The pirates took good care of them," he said.

Conejos said Somali pirates still hold more than two dozen Filipino crewmen aboard ships seized off the coast of Somalia last year. The Philippines supplies about one-third of the world's sailors. (dpa)