Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen kidnap Filipino doctor in southern Philippines

MANILA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) — Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen have abducted a Filipino doctor in the remote Jolo town in Sulu Province in the southern Philippines, the military said on Wednesday.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command, said the kidnapping of the victim, Daniel Moreno, brings to six the number of hostages being kept by the kidnap-for-ransom group.

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Source: http://www.china.org.cn

Iran, regional countries responsible for maritime security in region

In reaction to the departure of Japanese destroyer to the Persian Gulf, Iranian Embassy in Japan said that the maritime security should be provided by the countries of the region and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a Monday tweet, the Iranian Embassy in Japan reacted to the departure of Japanese destroyer Takanami with some 200 sailors to the Middle East. “The principle position of the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the historic guards of security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is that the presence of foreign forces in the region will not contribute to security and stability,” the statement said.

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Source: en.mehrnews.com

Maritime Security Task Force plans to restructure amid rise in piracy in Singapore Strait

Republic of Singapore Navy mine countermeasures vessels RSS Katong (M107) and RSS Bedok (M105) at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, via Wikipedia

Fabian Koh

SINGAPORE – The Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) plans to restructure to deal with piracy at sea, including beefing up its assets, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Monday (Feb 3).

“That review is expected to be complete in the next few months,” he said in a written reply to a parliamentary question by Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC).

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Source: straitstimes.com

Singapore Says Pirates Come from Elsewhere

Responding to questions in Parliament, Singapore’s Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen has indicated that the pirates responsible for recent incidents in the Singapore Strait are not from Singapore.

Ng says the number of piracy and sea robbery incidents occurring in the Singapore Strait fluctuates considerably from year to year. For example in 2014, 2015 and 2019 there were 48, 104 and 31 such incidents. But in the remaining years over the last decade, the average was around 12.

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Source: maritime-executive.com

5 Indonesian captives spotted in Sulu

Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Army troopers are tracking down five Indonesian fishermen being held captive by Abu Sayyaf bandits after the victims were reportedly spotted in the hinterlands of Maimbung, Sulu.

The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) intensified its intelligence gathering as it gave assurance that the troops are ready to execute plans to liberate the captives.

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Source: philstar.com

Bahrain’s navy patrolling shipping lanes to ensure safe passage for cargo vessels

BAHRAINI naval forces have been patrolling shipping lanes in the region to ensure safe passage for cargo vessels alongside international partners. The Royal Bahrain Naval Force yesterday drew praises from a senior US naval commander for its operational ability and working with the seven-member International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), which was launched in November to protect the international merchant community following a string of vessel attacks that have been blamed on Iran.

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Source: gdnonline.com

Police monitoring kidnap group ‘spotters’ in Sabah waters

Police are monitoring the remaining few hostage ‘spotters’ or lookouts working in cohorts with the kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) responsible for the kidnapping incidents in Sabah’s east coast.

Sabah Police Commissioner Omar Mammah (above) said the spotters under surveillance were fishermen.

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Source: malaysiakini.com

France kickstarts European mission in the Strait of Hormuz

French destroyer Chevalier Paul, via Wikipedia/Michael Davies

PARIS (Reuters) – France announced on Thursday the beginning of the European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH), intended to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Gulf while promoting a de-escalation approach with Iran.

The French government has pushed for a European security alternative in the Strait of Hormuz after ruling out taking part in a U.S.-led coalition protecting oil tankers and cargo ships from what Washington says is a threat from Iran.

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Source: reuters.com

UKMTO Advisory Notice 001/JAN/2020

Date: 29th January 2020
Location: 253400N,0550400E

INCIDENT TYPE: SOLAS INCIDENT (VESSEL ON FIRE)

UKMTO has received reports that a vessel is on fire in position 2534N 05504E (21NM North West of SHARJAH)

VESSELS TRANSITING THE AREA ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION This Advisory is not classified as a Maritime Security Event and has not been verified by UKMTO. This information is provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the region. UKMTO is not responsible for the accuracy of this reporting.

Source: ukmto.org

Navy offers Sri Lanka help in fighting drug trafficking, human smuggling

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Wednesday completed his five-day official visit to Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening naval ties between the two countries and offering help to the island nation in combating organised transnational crime at sea.

Admiral Abbasi, according to Pakistan Navy, during his stay in Colombo met Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary retired major general Kamal Gunaratne and three Sri Lankan services chiefs.

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Source: dawn.com