Piracy in Asia: A situation report

A little-known success story?

Despite ongoing incidents of piracy in Asia, international co-operation efforts are having genuine success at containing the issue. Various policy initiatives are showing promise for the security of the region’s sea lanes, now and into the future, Sam Bateman writes.

Since I wrote on the subject of piracy in Asia for Policy Forum in 2016, the situation has shown marked improvement. According to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), there were 76 incidents in Asia in 2018 as compared with 203 in 2015. In the first nine months of 2019, 54 incidents occurred in the region as compared with 64 in the same period of 2018, a significant drop by any measure.

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Source: policyforum.net

PH, Indonesia to renew commitment in watching over Sulu-Celebes Sea

By Betheena Kae Unite

Maritime security concerns in the Sulu-Celebes Sea, like kidnap for ransom and terrorism, are expected to be addressed as the Philippines and Indonesia renew their commitment to enforce security in the said sea.

The Philippines, through the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Indonesia, through the Indonesian Maritime Security Force also known as Humas Bakamla RI (BAKAMLA), aim to intensify maritime security cooperation through the re-signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with implementing arrangement (IA) that will be held in Bali, Indonesia next year.

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Source: news.mb.com.ph

Duterte orders additional troops deployment to thwart Islamic threats in Mindanao

By Genalyn Kabiling

To thwart any threat from Islamic State-linked militants, President Duterte has ordered the deployment of more battalions to help keep peace and security in Mindanao.

The President said he had asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to send 20 to 35 battalions from the Philippine Army, admitting he was worried that ISIS threat in Sulu might spill over to other parts of Mindanao.

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Source: news.mb.com.ph

Duterte to PH Navy: Kill pirates, ‘blow them until kingdom come’

The president mentions working with Indonesia and Malaysia to protect the seas from pirates, amid warming ties with China which is occupying the West PH Sea

Lian Buan

MANILA, Philippines – In alleging that much of the Philippines’ drug problem is brought about by piracy in the seas, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday, November 30, that he was ordering the Philippine Navy to kill pirates if they spot them.

“My orders to the Navy, I repeat my orders to the Navy, if they are positive that they are pirates, you blow them [until] kingdom come, patayin mo na lahat at matapos na ang problema ko at ng Pilipinas and so with the drugs (kill them all so all my problems and the Philippines’ problems will all go away, and so with the drugs),” Duterte said on Saturday at the celebration of Andres Bonifacio’s 156th birth anniversary.

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Source: rappler.com

Freed British couple recall ordeal as IS captives

A British man and his wife rescued this week from Islamist captors in the Philippines’ south said they were chained and threatened with beheading if a ransom was not delivered.

The couple, shaken but unharmed, shared the details of their nearly two-month ordeal with reporters after escaping during a gunfight on Monday between Philippine troops and the Islamic State (IS)-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

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Source: phnompenhpost.com

PH military holds maritime training exercise with Indonesia

By Martin Sadongdong

The Philippines and Indonesian militaries are indulged in a five-day maritime training that started Monday to enhance the readiness of both navies in addressing common maritime security concerns and interests.

Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), spearheaded the opening ceremony of the first Philippine-Indonesia Maritime Training Activity (MTA) at the Naval Station Felix in Panacan, Davao City.

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Source: news.mb.com.ph

British trader, Pinay wife kidnapped in Zamboanga del Sur

Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A British businessman and his Filipino wife were snatched by at least four gunmen in a coastal village in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday.

Allan Hyrons, 70, and his wife Wilma were seized at Hyrons Beach Resort, which the couple own, in Barangay Alindahaw at around 6:50 p.m., Maj. Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said.

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Source: philstar.com

MarsecNews: Although there has so far been no confirmation of the kidnappers’ identity, the Abu Sayyaf Group remain the most likely suspects. Of key concern is their violence; they are known to execute hostages if ransoms are withheld. We hope for a speedy resolution. Reports in the last 24 hours indicate that the AFP organised a naval blockade in an attempt to prevent the suspects from escaping. It would appear that this was unsuccessful.

The future of Philippine maritime enforcement

Michael van Ginkel

Illicit activity in the Sulu and Celebes Seas continues to pose a daunting maritime security challenge for the Philippines. The recent kidnapping of nine fishermen off the coast of Borneo and the increasingly violent modus operandi of the militant Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have raised safety concerns amongst Philippine policy makers and local communities. Although the Philippines has initiated several maritime enforcement initiatives, including the extensive National Coastal Watch System (NCWS), the government needs to enhance cooperation between land-based and maritime operations and increase engagement between military and civilian agencies to improve regional maritime stability.

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Source: theaseanpost.com

Philippines, Malaysia to jointly combat terrorism, illegal drug trade

The Philippines and Malaysia vowed on Thursday to ramp up their cooperation to address security issues in the region, particularly in combating terrorism, piracy and transnational crimes, including the fight against illegal drug trade.

“We resolved to address security issues. We touched on our extensive economic cooperation. We shared the view that its further expansion serves our mutual interests as that of ASEAN and our region,” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said after his meeting with visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Malacanang presidential palace.

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Source: globaltimes.cn