The Forgotten Key to Maritime Security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas

Economic development in coastal communities will help stem the flow of illegal behavior.

By Jay Benson

Maritime insecurity in the Sulu and Celebes Seas is a persistent challenge. These waterways have recently been used  to conduct incursions into Lahad Datu, orchestrate kidnap for ransom activities by militant groups such as Abu Sayyaf, and facilitate illegal wildlife trafficking. Governments in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia have responded with increased maritime enforcement capacity and presence, as well as enhanced international coordination. Although these are important efforts that need to be maintained, an exclusive focus on enforcement capacity risks ignoring an equally important facet of maritime insecurity: economic exclusion and inequality in coastal communities.

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Source: thediplomat.com