ReCAAP ISC issued an advisory update to inform the shipping industry that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has downgraded the threat of abduction of crew from ships in the Sulu Celebes Seas from ‘MODERATE LOW’ to ‘LOW’.
The ReCAAP ISC was concerned with the increase in incidents of abduction of crew for ransom situation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah since March 2016. The Centre, on 21 November 2016, published an Incident Alert titled Increasing Cases of Abduction of Crew for Ransom from Ships, advising ships to re-route from the area, where possible. The threat level associated with the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas was then deemed to be ‘HIGH’ as the abduction of crew has not waned.
Improvement in situation
With the concerted efforts undertaken by the Philippine and Malaysian authorities, the situation saw a notable improvement with no abduction of crew incidents reported for the fourth consecutive year, since January 2020 and no crew are presently held in captivity. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in consultation with other stakeholders and counterparts that have vital involvement in the maritime security of the Sulu-Celebes Seas, re-assessed the threat level of abduction of crew for ransom.
Re-assessment and downgrading of threat level
The measures undertaken by the Philippine Government in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, with the conduct of continuous military operations and dismantling the support base of the ASG in Sulu archipelago, ensure the likelihood of the end of the group through surrender, arrest, and neutralization. In January 2025, the PCG further downgraded the threat of abduction of crew from ‘MODERATE LOW’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
Update of ReCAAP ISC Advisory
The threat on abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas remained low and there has been no incident due to the successful military operations and robust law enforcement initiatives by the Philippines Government. With the downgrading of the threat level of abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas, the ReCAAP ISC updated its Advisory to all ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Ships are also advised to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
