ReCAAP ISC: No incident of armed robbery 13

Problem area

TThe ReCAAP ISC advises ships to continue to exercise increased vigilance when anchoring or transiting problem areas such as the Strait of Malacca and Singapore, and advises coastal states to increase their patrols and controls in these areas.

Reassessment and downgrading of threat level

The efforts of the Philippine government in Zamboanga, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi through sustained military operations resulted in the destruction of the support base and neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Sulu Archipelago. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with other actors and partners key to maritime security in the Sulu-Celebes Sea, reviewed the threat level and recommended that the threat level of “Kidnapping of a Crew Member for Ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Sea” be further downgraded from “MEDIUM” to “MEDIUM-LOW”, meaning that “incidents are unlikely as the perpetrators are considered incapable of orchestrating an attack. Nevertheless, in the event of an attack, minimal damage to the vessel and crew is expected.”

Update of the ReCAAP ISC Notice

• In light of the PCG's downgrading of the threat of “kidnapping of crew members for ransom in the waters of Sulu and Celebes”, the ReCAAP ISC has updated its recommendation for vessels to “exercise vigilance and take necessary preventive measures” when transiting the area.
• For vessels transiting the area, captains and crew are strongly advised to be particularly vigilant and to report any incidents immediately to
  the operations centres of the Philippines and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) of Malaysia.

Recommendations

Masters and crew are required to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal and flag State, using the Contact Details for Reporting Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia poster. They are also required to be vigilant and take appropriate preventive measures, using the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, both documents issued by the ReCAAP ISC.