SE Asian nations meet to further strengthen Sulu-Celebes Sea security as robbery incidents decline

FIVE ARMED robbery incidents against ships were reported in Asia in February 2018, only one of which occurred while at sea off Basilan in southern Philippines, according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia-Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAPISC). The four others took place while the vessels were at berth in Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam. ReCAAP-ISC noted that this total number was the lowest among the 10-year reporting period covering 2009-2018. None of the incidents this year involved abduction of crew nor hijacking for the oil cargo, it added. Representatives of southeast Asian Nations met in Metro Manila on Aug. 14-15 to “strengthen efforts and to deepen cooperation for maritime safety and security in Sulu-Celebes Sea,” according to a statement released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The event was also attended by members of the US and Japan Coast Guard and observers from the embassies of US, Singapore, Australia, Denmark and South Korea. The gathering was organized by the PCG and the ReCAAP-ISC. Rear Admiral Joel S Garcia, deputy commandant for administration of the PCG and chairperson of the ReCAAP ISC Governing Council, urged the delegates to further heighten vigilance to preserve the gains earned from their unified action against vessels flagged down for piracy activities. “While the last actual incident involving the abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Seas took place in March 2017, the threat to maritime safety and security posed by criminals and Islamists militants such as the Abu Sayyaf Group remain present. Therefore, we must not take the progress being made for granted,” Mr. Garcia added.