Duterte security adviser says joint patrols OK if not hostile to China

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte’s national security adviser agreed with joint patrols among countries surrounding the South China Sea but not primarily to deter Chinese aggression but to strengthen cooperation.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, former military chief, was responding to remarks made by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio recommending joint patrols between the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea to show a united front against China, which has been using the coronavirus pandemic as a smokescreen for escalated aggression in the disputed area.

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Source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Troops rescue 15 abducted persons, uncover 48 illegal refineries

By Kanayo Umeh

Troops of Operation Delta Safe fighting illegal oil bunkering and sea piracy, among other maritime crimes, have rescued 15 abducted persons who were held hostage in five speedboats after an encounter.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, made this known in Abuja yesterday, saying, “Troops of Sector 2 while on routine patrol at Nembe Owelesu, Bayelsa State encountered sea pirates at Abuja Open Water-Nembe, who escaped into the creeks on sighting the troop’s gunboats.

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Source: guardian.ng

Any illegal provocative action to be responded strongly

TEHRAN, Apr. 27 (MNA) – In a statement on Monday, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that any provocative action will be responded strongly and noted that Iran considers the presence of the US and its allies as a source of evil and insecurity in the region.

In a statement, the Iranian Armed forces described the US military presence in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman as a threat to regional security and said, “Establishing fake coalitions led by the US claiming to safeguard shipping security not only failed to serve its purpose but also is a dangerous move that disturbs regional peace and security.”

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Source: en.mehrnews.com

Short-lived freedom for 5 hostages of Abu Sayyaf

By Munguntan Vanar

KOTA KINABALU – Five Sandakan-based Indonesian fishermen were released by Abu Sayyaf captors only to be held again by another group that assisted their release.

Regional intelligence sources said intermediaries for families of the Indonesian hostages had settled the demands of a key Abu Sayyaf kidnap group, led by sub-commander Mike Apo, who then released them to Abu Sayyaf-linked middlemen.

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Source: asiaone.com

At least 3 Abu Sayyaf members killed as Sulu clashes continue

Eight soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion are wounded in the battle in Barangay Latih in Patikul, Sulu

JC Gotinga

MANILA, Philippines – Three members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in clashes with the military in Sulu on Wednesday, April 22, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Troops from the Philippine Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion on offensive against the ASG encountered an undetermined number of its members at around 6 pm in Barangay Latih, Patikul municipality, resulting in a firefight.

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Source: rappler.com

Iran vows to target U.S. warships if security threatened

Iranian Navy ships in Velayat-90 military exercise, by Mohammad Sadegh Heydari via Wikipedia

TEHRAN, April 23 (Xinhua) — Iran will target the U.S. military vessels in the Gulf if they threaten Iran’s security, the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Thursday, Tasnim news agency reported.

“We are fully determined and serious in defending our national security, maritime borders, maritime interests, maritime security and security of our forces at sea and any (wrong) move will trigger our decisive, effective and prompt response,” Hossein Salami said.

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Source: china.org.cn

Donald Trump instructs Navy to ‘destroy’ Iranian gunboats harassing US ships

Taylor Heyman

The US Navy has been instructed to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian gunboats if they harass its ships, US President Donald Trump said.

Mr Trump’s order followed a US accusation last week that Iranian fast vessels were “harassing” US Navy ships in the Arabian Gulf.

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Source: thenational.ae

Sabah on alert for Abu Sayyaf after deadly clashes in Mindanao

Durie Rainer Fong

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah security forces have another threat to deal with besides Covid-19 with a potential spillover of Abu Sayyaf members into the state following deadly clashes with the Philippine army.

It is likely the Philippine army will retaliate against the group after 11 of its soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded following an hour-long battle with the terrorist cell in southern Philippines on Saturday.

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Source: freemalaysiatoday.com

Sea Piracy in 2025: Piracy 2.0?

By Francois Morizur

Pirates have demonstrated their ability to revise their modes of operation in response to maritime industry behavior and the responses of coastal states. When looking the Gulf of Guinea, confirmed as the main world maritime piracy hotspot for almost five years, it’s interesting to consider that evolution.

Before 2010, piracy in the Gulf was limited to coastal area less than 30 nautical miles from shore. As ships kept their distance from shore, the pirates improved theirs range of operation with the use of mother vessels but also, very quickly, with new capacity to operate their skiffs without mother vessels out to 100-120 nautical miles from shore. They improved their endurance, safe sailing ability and communication to connect with their targets.

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Source: maritime-executive.com

ReCAAP ISC Weekly Report 14-20 April 2020

During 14-20 Apr 20, four incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC. Of the four incidents, one was a piracy incident (CAT 41) that occurred on board a VLCC while underway in the South China Sea.

The three incidents of armed robbery against ships were a CAT 32 incident that occurred on board a container ship while anchored at Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) Breakwater, Philippines, two CAT 4 incidents that occurred on board, a bulk carrier while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait and an oil tanker while anchored off Alang Anchorage, India.

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Source: recaap.org

To download the report, please click here.