Pirates steal cash and shoes in Korean cargo ship robbery

SEOUL/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Pirates attacked a South Korean-flagged cargo ship in the South China Sea early on Monday, stealing thousands of dollars in cash and even the sailors’ shoes, South Korean authorities said.

Two people sustained minor injuries when seven pirates boarded the CK Bluebell and made off with $13,000 and belongings including mobile phones, clothes and shoes from the 22-strong crew, officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said.

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Source: reuters.com

Armed Robberies: 28 Incidents Reported to ReCAAP ISC in H1 2019

By Baibhav Mishra

Twenty-eight Incidents Reported to ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre from January to June 2019, Marking 32% Year-on-Year Decrease, and the Lowest in Number among 13-Year Period of January to June

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) today released its Half-Yearly (January to June 2019) Report. Highlights of the report, whose information is verified by the respective government agencies, also known as Focal Points, and regional authorities, include:

Overall Summary

Total of 28 incidents reported from January to June 2019, of which 25 were actual incidents while 3 were attempted cases
Of the 28 incidents reported, 26 (93%) were armed robbery against ships and two (7%) were piracy
This marks a 32% decrease compared to the same period in 2018 in the number of incidents reported
This is also the lowest number among the 13-year period (2007-2019) of January to June
In terms of severity, there was one Category 1 incident, two Category 2 incidents, two Category 3 incidents and 20 Category 4

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Source: seanews.co.uk

1 dead, 4 injured in Abu Sayyaf encounter in Basilan — military

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) — An armed militia man was killed while four civilians were wounded in an encounter Sunday in Basilan with unidentified men believed to be Abu Sayyaf group members, the military said.

The Western Mindanao Command reported that at around 8 a.m., a barangay peacekeeping action team outpost at Sitio Bohe Pahut, Barangay Central Sumisip was harassed by reported Abu Sayyaf members under sub-group leader Pasil Bayali.

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Source: cnnphilippines.com

Seafarers’ charity calls for increased cooperation to tackle piracy ahead of Sea Sunday

Seafarers’ charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) has expressed concern over the effect that piracy continues to have on seafarers’ physical and mental wellbeing, ahead of Sea Sunday on July 14.

The charity has emphasised that seafarers’ safety and pastoral support remains paramount when their ships are targeted or attacked by pirates.

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Source: hellenicshippingnews.com

Esszone curfew extended again to July 25

Curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), which ends today, will be extended until July 25.

Sabah police commissioner Omar Mammah said in a statement today that the curfew from 6pm to 6am covers the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

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Source: malaysiakini.com

MPA Singapore Rejects Chinese Security Alert

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has responded to China’s decision to raise the security level for its vessels heading through the Strait of Malacca, asserting that no information has been received about an immediate threat.

According to Bloomberg, a notice was served by China’s transport ministry on July 2, advising Chinese-flagged vessels to adopt heightened security measures and raise their security warning to level three.

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Source: porttechnology.org

5 battalions of police commandos to fight Abu Sayyaf

By Aaron Recuenco

The five battalions of the police’s elite Special Action Force (SAF), which President Duterte early in his term had ordered to be formed, may see action in Mindanao as part of the effort to wipe out the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Gen. Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the five battalions of SAF commandos are nearing completion of their commando training and would graduate as soon as they pass the test mission.

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Source: news.mb.com.ph

Marine battalion off to Sulu to beef up hunt for terrorists

ZAMBOANGA CITY –– A Marine battalion has been deployed to Sulu to beef up the government’s security presence in the province, rocked by recent bombings in a military facility, and grappling with a long-running bout with terrorists.

Their mission: “Destroy the Abu Sayyaf … and establish a peaceful and stable environment in Sulu,” said Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

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Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

China raises attack alert in Malacca Strait to highest level

Shipping companies are asked by authorities in Beijing to increase the security level on ships transiting the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest waterways. Cosco Shipping’s tanker unit has warned its staff about possible attacks from some Indonesian gangs

Cichen Shen

‘The raising of the threat level for Chinese-flagged vessels has been unexpected, particularly as the regional dynamics within and surrounding the Malacca Strait are stable’ — maritime security intelligence company Dryad Global

BEIJING has raised the security level on Chinese-flagged vessels transiting the Straits of Malacca, according to documents seen by Lloyd’s List.

Shipping companies have been advised to implement Security Level 3 — the highest state of alertness under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code — effective from 2200hrs local time July 2, the Ministry of Transport said in a notification.

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Source: lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com

Westmincom to focus on Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The new leadership of the military’s Western Mindanao Command will rest the weight of its campaign in Sulu, considered among the remaining problem areas in Mindanao, its outgoing commander Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega said.

Dela Vega, who opted for early retirement from the service, will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana in a change of command ceremony on Friday.

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Source: philstar.com