A two-day meeting organized by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre (ISC) opened this morning at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines.

The two day event aims to strengthen efforts and to deepen cooperation for maritime safety and security in Sulu-Celebes Sea among South East Asian countries. Aside from the PCG and ReCAAP ISC, littoral stakeholders including the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA) and the Philippine shipping industry will assess the evolving situation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, update the measures taken by each respective agencies as well as related government bodies, and discuss ways to further deepen existing operational cooperation. Other participants include US and Japan Coast Guard and observers from the embassies of US, Singapore, Australia, Denmark and South Korea.

Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Affairs, Lino Dabi welcomed the delegates and cited the DOTr’s efforts in curbing piracy and armed robbery in the Southern Philippines. Meanwhile Rear Admiral Joel S Garcia, Deputy Commandant for Administration of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chairperson of the ReCAAP ISC Governing Council asked the delegates to heighten the level of vigilance in order to preserve the gains earned because of the unified and swift action by the member countries whenever a vessel is flagged down for piracy activities. “While the last actual incident involving the abduction of crew from ships while underway in the Sulu-Celebes Seas took place in March 2017, the treat to maritime safety and security posed by criminals and Islamists militants such as the Abu Sayyaf Group remain present. Therefore, we must not take the progress being made for granted.” Rear Admiral Garcia added.

According to ReCAAP ISC latest report, a total of five incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia in February 2018 of which four incidents occurred on board ships while at anchor/berth (in Bangladesh, India and Vietnam), and one incident on board ship while underway (off Basilan, Philippines) without no actual incident of abduction of crew and no incident of hijacking of ship for the of oil cargo. It is worth noting that the number of actual incidents reported during February 2018 was the lowest among the 10-year reporting period (2009-2018).